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.
( by whose attention I have been much honoured ) would not decline to give his aid , were that necessary . But if your Court resembles that of Spain , I am afraid every proposal from an ambassador is received with some degree of jealousy . Your own private application will , I apprehend , be more effectual . As it is probable that a second edition may go to press early in the winter , it will add to the favour , if
you can soon inform me concerning the success of your negotiation . As this is something in the style of the Corps Diplomatique , allow me to recommend one of its members to 3 'ou . Mr . Fullarton , the new secretary of the embassy , is a particular friend of mine . He is a young man of such qualities , both of head and heart , that I am sure you will esteem and love him . Please remember me to him .
I have the honour to be , with great respect , Your obliged , humble servant , W . ' ROBERTSON . "
DR . WATSON ( NOW BISHOP OF LLANDAF 1 ') TO MR . GIBBON . SIR J Cambridge , Jan . 14 , 1779 . " IT will give me the greatest pleasure to have an opportunity- of becoming better acquainted with Mr . Gibbon . I beg he would accept my sincere thanks for the too favourable manner in which he has spoken of a performancewhich derives its chief merit from the
, elegance and importance of the work it attempts to oppose . 1 have no hope of a future existence , except that which is grounded on the truth of Christianity . I wish not to be deprived of this hope ; but I should be an apostate from the mild principle of the reli gion I profess , if I could be actuated with the least animosity against those who do not think with me upon thisof all othersthe most important
sub-, , ject . I beg your pardon for this declaration of my belief ; but my temper is naturally open , and it ought assuredl y to be without disguise to a man whom Iwish no longer to look upon as an antao-onist , but as a friend . 1 have the honour to be , with every sentiment of respect , your obliged servant , R . WATSON . "
' ' DR . WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO MR . GIBBON . " DEAR SIR ? College of Edinburgh , May 12 , 17 S 1 . " .. I am ashamed of having deferred so long to thank you for the agreeable presents of your two new volumes ; but just as I had finished the first reading of them , 1 was taken ill , and continued , for two or three weeksnervousdeafand languid . I have now recovered as
, , , much spirit as to tell you , with what perfect satisfaction I have not only perused , but studied , this part of 3 'our work . I know enough of your talents ahd-industiy , to expect " a great deal ; but you have gone far beyond my expectations . ' I can recollect no historical work from which I ever received so much instruction ; and , when I con-
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.
( by whose attention I have been much honoured ) would not decline to give his aid , were that necessary . But if your Court resembles that of Spain , I am afraid every proposal from an ambassador is received with some degree of jealousy . Your own private application will , I apprehend , be more effectual . As it is probable that a second edition may go to press early in the winter , it will add to the favour , if
you can soon inform me concerning the success of your negotiation . As this is something in the style of the Corps Diplomatique , allow me to recommend one of its members to 3 'ou . Mr . Fullarton , the new secretary of the embassy , is a particular friend of mine . He is a young man of such qualities , both of head and heart , that I am sure you will esteem and love him . Please remember me to him .
I have the honour to be , with great respect , Your obliged , humble servant , W . ' ROBERTSON . "
DR . WATSON ( NOW BISHOP OF LLANDAF 1 ') TO MR . GIBBON . SIR J Cambridge , Jan . 14 , 1779 . " IT will give me the greatest pleasure to have an opportunity- of becoming better acquainted with Mr . Gibbon . I beg he would accept my sincere thanks for the too favourable manner in which he has spoken of a performancewhich derives its chief merit from the
, elegance and importance of the work it attempts to oppose . 1 have no hope of a future existence , except that which is grounded on the truth of Christianity . I wish not to be deprived of this hope ; but I should be an apostate from the mild principle of the reli gion I profess , if I could be actuated with the least animosity against those who do not think with me upon thisof all othersthe most important
sub-, , ject . I beg your pardon for this declaration of my belief ; but my temper is naturally open , and it ought assuredl y to be without disguise to a man whom Iwish no longer to look upon as an antao-onist , but as a friend . 1 have the honour to be , with every sentiment of respect , your obliged servant , R . WATSON . "
' ' DR . WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO MR . GIBBON . " DEAR SIR ? College of Edinburgh , May 12 , 17 S 1 . " .. I am ashamed of having deferred so long to thank you for the agreeable presents of your two new volumes ; but just as I had finished the first reading of them , 1 was taken ill , and continued , for two or three weeksnervousdeafand languid . I have now recovered as
, , , much spirit as to tell you , with what perfect satisfaction I have not only perused , but studied , this part of 3 'our work . I know enough of your talents ahd-industiy , to expect " a great deal ; but you have gone far beyond my expectations . ' I can recollect no historical work from which I ever received so much instruction ; and , when I con-