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Extracts From The Memoirs Of The Life And Writings Of Edward Gibbon, Esq.
coast of Asia as hi g h as the latitude of 673 ; ' , till his progress was stopped by the ice , in a Streight between the two Continents , which was only seven leagues broad . Thence he descended along the coast of America , as low as Cape Mendocin ; but was repulsed by contrary winds , in his attempts to reach tlie port of Acapulco . The Journal of his Voyage , with his original Charts , is now at Versailles , in the Depot des Affaires Elrangers ; and if you conceived that it would be of any use to you for a second edition , I would try what might be obtained ; though I am not ignorant of that mean jealousy , which you yourself have experienced , and so deservedly stigmatised . I am , & c , "
" DR . ROBERTSON TO MR . GIBBON . " SIR , " I had the honour of your obliging Letter , and I should be a very proud man indeed , if I were not vain of the approbation which you are pleased to bestow upon me . As you will now have had an opportunity to peruse the book , which you had only seen when you
wrote to me , I indulge myself in the hopes , that the favourable opinion you had formed of it , is not diminished . I am much pleased with your mentioning my friendship with Mr . Plume ; I have always considered that as one of the most fortunate and honourable circumstances of my life . It is a felicity of the age and country in which we livethat men of letters can enter the same walk of scienceand
, , go on . successfully , without feeling one sentiment of envy or rivaiship . In the intercourse between Mr . Hume and me , we always found something to blame , as well as something to commend . I have received frequently very valuable criticisms on my performances from him ; and I have sometimes ventured . to offer , him my strictures on his works . Permit me to hope for the same indulgence from you .
If , in reading the History of America , ' any thing , either in the matter or style , has occurred to you , as reprehensible , I will deem if a most obliging favour if you wil ) communicate it freely to me . I am certain of profiting by such a communication . " I return you thanks for your frank offer of executing any literary commission for me . I accept of it without ceremony , and am flattered with the idea of receiving such aid from your hands . I know
nothing of Bagniouski's Adventures , but wiiat was published in some newspaper . If one can rely on his veracity , what he relates must be very interesting to me . If you had been writing the History of America , the question concerning the mode of peopling it , might not , perhaps , have occupied your attention very much . But it was proper for me to consider it more fully . Bagniouski ( if he may be credited )
has seen what it may be useful for me to know . I can see no reason why the Court of France should be shy about communicating his Journal , and the Charts which illustrate it ; possibly my name may operate somewhat towards obtaining a copy of both ; your interposition , I am confident , will do a great deal . It will be very illiberal ' indeed , if such a communication were refused . Mv Lord . Stormont
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extracts From The Memoirs Of The Life And Writings Of Edward Gibbon, Esq.
coast of Asia as hi g h as the latitude of 673 ; ' , till his progress was stopped by the ice , in a Streight between the two Continents , which was only seven leagues broad . Thence he descended along the coast of America , as low as Cape Mendocin ; but was repulsed by contrary winds , in his attempts to reach tlie port of Acapulco . The Journal of his Voyage , with his original Charts , is now at Versailles , in the Depot des Affaires Elrangers ; and if you conceived that it would be of any use to you for a second edition , I would try what might be obtained ; though I am not ignorant of that mean jealousy , which you yourself have experienced , and so deservedly stigmatised . I am , & c , "
" DR . ROBERTSON TO MR . GIBBON . " SIR , " I had the honour of your obliging Letter , and I should be a very proud man indeed , if I were not vain of the approbation which you are pleased to bestow upon me . As you will now have had an opportunity to peruse the book , which you had only seen when you
wrote to me , I indulge myself in the hopes , that the favourable opinion you had formed of it , is not diminished . I am much pleased with your mentioning my friendship with Mr . Plume ; I have always considered that as one of the most fortunate and honourable circumstances of my life . It is a felicity of the age and country in which we livethat men of letters can enter the same walk of scienceand
, , go on . successfully , without feeling one sentiment of envy or rivaiship . In the intercourse between Mr . Hume and me , we always found something to blame , as well as something to commend . I have received frequently very valuable criticisms on my performances from him ; and I have sometimes ventured . to offer , him my strictures on his works . Permit me to hope for the same indulgence from you .
If , in reading the History of America , ' any thing , either in the matter or style , has occurred to you , as reprehensible , I will deem if a most obliging favour if you wil ) communicate it freely to me . I am certain of profiting by such a communication . " I return you thanks for your frank offer of executing any literary commission for me . I accept of it without ceremony , and am flattered with the idea of receiving such aid from your hands . I know
nothing of Bagniouski's Adventures , but wiiat was published in some newspaper . If one can rely on his veracity , what he relates must be very interesting to me . If you had been writing the History of America , the question concerning the mode of peopling it , might not , perhaps , have occupied your attention very much . But it was proper for me to consider it more fully . Bagniouski ( if he may be credited )
has seen what it may be useful for me to know . I can see no reason why the Court of France should be shy about communicating his Journal , and the Charts which illustrate it ; possibly my name may operate somewhat towards obtaining a copy of both ; your interposition , I am confident , will do a great deal . It will be very illiberal ' indeed , if such a communication were refused . Mv Lord . Stormont