motives to animate you to the ardent pursuit of improvement. For English history, read the revolutions of York and Lancaster in Pere d'Orleans, and no more of the father; the life of Edward the Fourth, and so downwards all the life writers of our kings, except such as you have already read. For Queen Ann's reign the continuator of Rapin. Farewell, my dearest nephew, for to day. Your most affectionate uncle. ! I HAVE not conversed with my dear nephew a long time: I have been much in a post-chaise, living a wandering Scythian life, and he has been more usefully employed than in reading or writing letters; travelling through the various, instructing, and entertaining road of history. I have a particular pleasure in hearing now : and then a word from you in your journey, just while you are changing horses, if I may so call it, and getting from one author to another. I suppose you going through the biographers, from Edward the Fourth downwards, nor intending to stop till you reach to the continuator of honest Rapin. There is a little book I never mentioned, Welwood's Memoirs; I recommend it. Davis's Ireland must not on any account be omitted: it is a great performance, a masterly work, and contains much depth and extensive knowledge in state matters, and settling of countries, in a very short compass. I have met with a scheme of chronology by Blair, shewing all cotemporary, G historical characters, through all ages: it is of great use to consult. frequently, in order to fix periods, and throw collateral light upon any particular branch you are reading. Let me know, when I have the pleasure of a letter from you, how far you are advanced in English history. You may probably not have heard authentically of Governor Lyttelton's captivity and release. He is safe and well in England, after being taken and detained in France some days. Sir Richard and he met, unexpectedly enough, at Brussels, and came together to England. I propose returning to London in about a week, where I hope to find Lady Hester as well as I left her. We are both much indebted for your kind and affectionate wishes. In publica commoda peccem Si longo sermone morer one bent on so honourable and virtuous a |