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Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. c. 22. Not previously published.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the
English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa
&c.rs Barbauldr Sayers
It is no less strange than true my dear Grosvenor that our
disputes have more frequently been owing to a difference in terms than in
opinion. when you speak of the mercenary motives to action you are but one step
from the ground on which I build my principles. if virtue be sought for in the
present system of things it must be for its own sake & its reward as
being most pure is likewise abstract. riches titles places & pensions
are the baubles that attract attention & “man being gregarious”recompence <voice> the sole
recompense of virtue upon earth. this lamentable prejudice is early inculcated
& strongly supported. as you observe gain is the chief engine of
education, & pride the first sentiment taught. my own experience tells
me this. I was early warned not to play with dirty little boys &
caressed & corrected with equal injustice. the catechise has given me
many a weary hour. forgive egotism if I mention one circumstance which happened
above twelve years ago. I was struck with the apparent falshood in “I believe in
the holy catholic church”xxxxxxxxx the principles of present instruction
are widely dfferent from the laws of Nature & <from> our
maxim Be just & fear not. justice would teach us to pay respect only to
merit — society to pay homage to superior rank & riches. do not
thinking I am running out, when I object to
the maxim Fear God. it is impious to fear him who is himself Love. the confused
manner in which my sentiments are expressed is of great disadvantage I wish you
could look into my mind & read it thro. perhaps you little think that
what you say of laws is the echo of Tom Paine — but had you known that, I will
do you the justice to believe you had still said it. “government is a necessary
evil.”
Physiognomy oftener gives me pain than pleasure. I mingle in a
crowd & behold a compound of vice & folly whose dress denotes
affluence — the next bears a countenance which Lavaterbut never does this
pleasing study <give me> more pain than when I look at the women
of the town — the momentary glance is worth a thousand sermons & gives
me a stronger argument against the present state of things than all the
republican writers from Moses
perhaps few people spend the Xmas evening in this manner. to me all days are alike in this place. I have to make my own amusements & this is at least innocent. CC wrote to me very lately. he had no news & therefore was silent. this struck at our system of letter writing & I replied rather at large. he invited me to Maize Hill but I am from Bristol to Bath & Bath to Bristol till I see Balliol once again. & most gladly shall I see it. my recreations I always carry with me & society will add to these. Edmund Seward resides six months longer than he expected. much to my satisfaction you may suppose. poor George Burnett is alone there, mal-treated for his temperance.
How Rousseau would have exulted in the history of Pelew.c.1764–1784;
You may take this for a new years letter. as such I wrote the
verses this evening to pass a heavy hour. at least antedating is preferable to a
certain friend of ours who honourd St Davidnd of March. you have
plenty of time to send me a new years ode in return & your purposd visit
to Ealing need not prevent you. has Lovell shown you any of his verses? I speak impartially when I say
that they equal anythings production that have
fallen under my judgement for elegance & delicacy. I will go to Bath for
a few on his return chiefly to meet him. Sewards married sister is there now & Combe. direct however here as usual
my stay will be short & my departure is uncertain. your friends I hope
are all well. remember me to them kindly & respectfully. send me Tom
Paine & believe me yours sincerely.
is not Elmsley a
fellow of Oriel? if so I fear we are not destined to be friends. you know I
am barely acquainted with Peter.