the resolution, and continue their old practice: as these protesters maintain passive obedience, and indefeasible right, they are called the consistent Jacobites, and the others are called the inconsistent. The ninth relates to old events in the court of session, which are very famous, but which it was necessary to involve in mysterious expressions. If you do not understand them, I will explain them to you afterwards. The tenth relates likewise to that court; but it was not necessary to make it dark, because its constitution is according to law, and because there is a cry in the country for juries in civil causes. The eighth and eleventh contain the general principles of British liberty, and consequently the subject of your hymn; and therefore it is unnecessary to give you more hints for it than are contained in these articles. As a revolution club implies a disposition to rebel, it was thought proper to give all the praise to the present crowned head, which is the last article.

When do you propose to publish the scarce Scotish poems mentioned in your last letter? Your labors for these many years upon the Scotish history, preceding the year 1056, will, I hope, have a good sale. The University is much obliged to you for the present which you propose to make of the Vita Sanctorum; but I really think it is too expensive a present for you to make to a rich society.

THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO MR.

PINKERTON.

Strawberry Hill, Aug. 14th, 1788.

The new regulation of the post proves very inconvenient to this little district; for it arrives and departs again in half an hour; so that, having a visitor when I received your letter yesterday, I could not possibly answer it then; nor can I write now expeditiously, as, for these thirteen days, I have had a third fit of the gout in my left arm and hand, and can barely hold the paper.

Your intelligence of the jubilees to be celebrated in Scotland in honor of the Revolution was welcome indeed. It is a favorable symptom of an age when its festivals are founded on good sense and liberality of sentiment, and not to perpetuate superstition and slavery. Your countrymen, Sir, have proved their good sense too in their choice of a poet. Your writings breathe the noble generous spirit congenial to the institution. Give me leave to say that it is very flattering to me to have the ode communicated to me: I will not say, to be consulted, for of that distinction I am not worthy I am not a poet, and am sure I cannot improve your ideas, which you have expressed with propriety and clearness, the necessary ingredients of an address to a populous meeting; for I doubt our numerous audiences are not arrived at Olympic taste enough to seize with enthusiasm the eccentric flights of Pindar. You have taken a more rational road to inspiration, by adhering to

the genuine topics of the occasion; and you speak in so manly a style, that I do not believe a more competent judge could amend your poetry. I approve it so much, that, if you commanded me to alter it, I would alter but one word, and would insert but one more. In the second stanza, for

"Here ever gleam'd the patriot sword,"

I would rather read

"Here ever flash'd;"

as I think gleamed not forcible enough for the thought, nor expressive enough of the vigorous ardor of your heroes. In the third stanza I think there wants a syllable, not literally, but to

the ear,

"And slavery, with arts unblest."

Slavery, if pronounced as three syllables, does not satisfy the fullness of harmony, and besides obliges the tongue to dwell too strongly on with, which ought not to occupy much accent. An epithet to

arts would make the whole line sonorous.

These are trifling criticisms of a trifling critic, I know; but they mark both my attention and satisfaction with your ode. I must add, how beautifully is introduced "Innocent of blood!" How ought that circumstance to be dwelt upon at the Jubilee of the Revolution!

I will tell you how more than occasionally the mention of Pindar slipped into my pen. I have frequently, and even yesterday, wished that some attempt were made to ennoble our horse-races, particularly at Newmarket, by associating better arts with the courses; as by contributing for odes, the best of which should be rewarded by medals.

Our nobility would find their vanity gratified; for, as the pedigrees of their steeds would soon grow tiresome, their own genealogies would replace them, and in the mean time poetry and medals would be improved. Their lordships would have judgment enough to know if their horse (which should be the impression on one side) were not well executed; and, as I hold that there is no being more difficult to draw well than a horse, no bad artist could be employed. Such a beginning would lead farther; and the cup or plate for the prize might rise into beautiful vases. But this is a vision; and I may as well go to bed and dream of any thing else. I do not return the ode, which I flatter myself you meant I should keep.

P. S. I must not forget how difficult it is to write to a given tune, especially with so much ease as you have done; and nothing is more happy than making" November smile as May."

DR. JOHN ANDERSON TO MR. PINKERTON.

Sept. 4th, 1788.

I heartily thank you, in the name of all my friends, for the Hymn to Liberty, which you were so good as to send me in your letter of the 16th of the last month. It is much admired, particularly the plan, the absence of hard words, and Pindaric flights, and the eighth verse (and soon the), which is thought equal to any thing that could have been written upon the occasion by Lucan and

Milton, while at the same time it is historically correct. Some various readings have been proposed, which you will be pleased to adopt, to alter, or to amend. The whole, to wit, the Toasts, Song, and Hymn, will be printed in a sheet for the use of the drinkers and singers; and it is wished to get it inserted in the London Chronicle, and Gentleman's Magazine, a few days after the 4th of November next is past. After I shall have received your corrections, some of the printed copies shall be sent you by water in a bale to Elmsley.