tenderness for his pupils, as cannot but command respect and love. I almost forgot to mention our tutor's library, which is composed for the most part of foreign books, which seem to be very well chosen, and are every day of great advantage to us. Thus I have endeavoured, sir, to give you an account of all that I thought material or observable amongst us. As for my own part, I apply myself with what diligence I can to every thing which is the subject of our lectures, without preferring one subject before another; because I see nothing we are engaged in, but what is either necessary, or extremely useful for one who would thoroughly understand those things which most concern him, or be able to explain them well to others. I hope, I have not spent my time, since I came to this place, without some small improvement both in human knowledge, and that which is far better; and I earnestly desire the benefit of your prayers, that God would be pleased to fit me better for his service both in this world and the next. This, if you please to afford me, and your advice with relation to study, or whatever else you think convenient, must needs be extremely useful, as well as agreeable, and shall be thankfully received by your most obliged humble servant, LETTER II. DR. THOMAS SECKER TO DR. ISAAC WATTS. SIR, Cuddesden, near Oxford, June 19, 1741. I AM extremely obliged to you for the agreeable present of your book*, which is peculiarly well adapted for the direction and improvement of students in the university, where your Logic is by no means the only piece of yours that is read with high esteem. You have been a diligent promoter of useful and especially religious knowledge, of Christian faith and Christian morals. On these accounts I have always respected you from the time that I had so many years ago the advantage of your conversation, and always rejoiced in the just honour that has been universally paid you; and, as this opportunity of expressing my regard gives me much pleasure, so, if the favour of letting me see you next winter will not be inconvenient to you, it will be a great satisfaction to, sir, your affectionate humble servant. LETTER III. JOHN GARDEN TO ARCHBISHOP SECKER. Brechin, April 24, 1767. MY LORD ARCHBISHOP, May it please your Grace, I AM a layman, content with the fruit of my labour, and have nothing to ask for myself, I am a Scots * Dr. Watts's Improvement of the Mind, or a Supplement to the Art of Logic. Whig and a Presbyterian; not quité so rigid indeed, but I could conform to the church of England, were it by law established: but I shall never wish to see it so here: our country is too barren and poor; and from the experience I have had of the clergy here, I shall never wish to see them possessed of power, the constant concomitant of great riches; so apt they are to domineer, or to side with those who are disposed to do so, when they can see their own interest in it. This I am sensible is no very plausible introduction in addressing one of your station; but plain truth tells best, and is always more prevalent than fiction. I have lately read a book, published this year at Edinburgh, titled, Principles Political and Religious, by Mr. Norman Sievwright, minister of the authorised Episcopal congregation here, to be sold at A. Donaldson's shop, London. I am pleased with the performance; the more so, as an. essay of its nature, from one of his profession in this country, would have been looked upon as quite exotic some years ago. The design is certainly laudable, to open the eyes of, and introduce loyalty among a blind, deluded, and disaffected people; a design wherein the interest and happiness of Great Britain is not a little concerned, and of consequence worthy of your Grace's attention, whom kind Providence has placed at the head of the church of England. I am absolutely unconnected with the author either by blood or alliance, but I know him to be a good man and a loyal subject; and that the character I give will be confirmed by every honest man that knows him; and though altogether unknown to your Grace, and even void of the im proper and presumptuous ambition of being so, I have, without Mr. Sievwright's knowledge or participation, from the mere motive of public spirit, ventured to address you in this way, and under your correction, to suggest, that the countenance your Grace may be pleased to show him, and your approbation of his design, will be a spur on him and others, to exert themselves strenuously in the same way, and cannot miss to have a tendency to make us in this country more unanimous, if not in religious, at least in political matters; which would be no small point gained: two rebellions in my time demonstrate the truth of this. Though my acquaintance and Mr. Sievwright's is of pretty long standing, sixteen years or thereby, I was yesterday in his house for the first time; I saw his wife, a grave genteel woman, big with child, and six young children, all clean and decently dressed, and every thing orderly. Mr. Sievwright was not at home. He has only forty pounds annually to support all this. Great must be the economy, considering the enormous price to which every thing has risen ; for cold, I know, is the charity of the place. I never heard Mr. Sievwright complain; and I believe no man else ever did. I own I was moved at the decent solemnity which I observed; and upon consideration, nothing could have hindered me from giving that relief which a good God and generous nature prompted, but want of ability. To whom shall I pour forth the emotions of my soul so properly on this affecting subject, as to him who, next to our amiable king, is God's vicegerent for good in the island of Britain?The humanity, generosity, and godlike disposition of soul for which you are famed even in this remote corner, leaves no room to doubt, that you will unexpectedly send Mr. Sievwright that relief, which, upon due consideration, you shall find his merit deserving of, either by calling him to some small benefice in England, or otherways as to your great wisdom shall seem most meet. These prudential and charitable suggestions are submitted to you with all humility. Begging pardon for this great and uncommon piece of presumption, I have, with the most profound regard, the honour to be, my lord, your grace's most obedient, and most humble servant, LETTER IV. ARCHBISHOP SECKER TO JOHN GARDEN, IN ANSWER TO THE ABOVE. SIR, Lambeth, May 25, 1767. I BEG your pardon that I have suffered your letter, in this busy time, to lie so long unanswered. And I hope the plain speaking of an English Episcopal Whig will be as acceptable to you, as that of a Scotch Presbyterian is to me. Your established church hath as much power, I believe, as ours hath, or more, though less wealth. And its wealth, perhaps, is not so much less as you may imagine, allowing for the different prices of things; only with you the shares are nearly alike. I wish the incomes of your ministers were somewhat greater, and those of ours somewhat more equally divided. I wish too that all your Episcopal clergy were |