fostering auspices of the prince royal, whose answer to every one complaining of the press, is by no means favorable to their wishes. He has lately told some gentleman, who advised him to procure his father's consent to certain declaratory laws in this respect, the common law of the land was the best guardian of personal and real security if any body found himself injured through the press, he had recourse to the author and the printer, cited before a court of justice-so this matter rests. The king and his beloved son are now about to abolish the ill-fated feodal services, which have proved the greatest ruin of this country. But, in order to effect this salutary affair in the most equitable manner, both the lords of manors and their tenants are ordered to enter into a friendly agreement in this point among themselves. In case of a difference, the cause is to be submitted to arbitrators, and the covenants thus made shall be kept inviolable to eternity. In order to lead the way, the king and the prince have begun on their own estates, many of which are already parcelled out to the peasants, and the parcel sold to the tenant, who, having already paid the full sum for it, is now a freeholder instead of a wretched slave. I wish you could read Danish, and satisfy your generous heart with the writings of Count Cristian Reventlow and Messrs. Colbiornsen in the cause of liberty. These writings are printed in a collection of papers bearing title, "Transactions of the Royal Committee appointed to inquire into the present state of the Peasantry in Denmark." Copenhagen

1788-89, 2 vols. It is remarkable that the last spark of liberty among the peasants was extinguished in 1742, under a king who has been extolled to the skies on account of his piety; and deservedly indeed, for it can never be supposed that he knew the least of the matter. Thus the feudal slavery has been advancing by degrees from the thirteenth century down to the present; for in the thirteenth century all men were free in Denmark, in case they held land. I send you a curious tract" De Matrimoniis Veterum Septentrionalium;" the Voyage under ground of Nicolai Klim, by Baron Holberg, containing a Satire on the University, with prints; and the Landnama Book. Pray give my best compliments to Mrs. Pinkerton and the two young ladies.

DR. THORKELIN TO MR. PINKERTON.

Copenhagen, Nov. 1st, 1791.

Since my last letter, directed to you under the care of Mr. Silberschildt, the Royal Icelandic Society of Sciences have elected you their honorary member. Accordingly, I have the honor to transmit along with this the diploma, which my friends wish you will receive as the basis of a mutual correspondence and good offices.

As to myself, I heartily rejoice at finding your literary merits meeting in Denmark with that esteem which is their due. Your Essay on Coins and Medals and your Introduction to the History

of Scotland are read and read again with applause and pleasure. Should a new edition of the former enrich the world, which I sincerely hope, I beg you will consult the description of our royal cabinet, containing the Danish coins. Two copies have already been sent to England, one to his Grace of Canterbury, the other to the Duke of Marlborough, as presents from the prince royal, accompanied by letters of his excellency the Marshal Bulow, agreeably to the orders of his royal highness.

Besides, I am well informed by Count Reventlow, the president of his majesty's library, that the said work has been at length transmitted, along with some other literary productions, to the Honorable Mr. Walpole, whose regard to his majesty is conspicuous in the works of Strawberry Hill, the much valued ornaments of the royal library. Now to yourselves.-The Scriptores Danici you will receive as soon as the navigation shall be opened in the next spring; provided you will favor me, in the mean time, with a proper direction of a friend in London, who is to make them free of the Tower ward, and to prevent them falling among robbers, when I shall be so happy as to receive your commands.

Pray inform me about the laws still observed in Scotland, and the method of studying and practising that divine science in the courts. But, above all, give me your advice relative to a matter which I wish to execute: this is a new edition of my Sketch of the Character of the Prince Royal of Denmark. You would infinitely oblige me by

showing me your good offices on this occasion, not only in concerting the plan with Mr. Ridgeway, but likewise to peruse the performance with the pruning arm of criticism. I have some additions,

besides, to make to the whole. Above all, and first of all, I conjure you to draw a categorical answer from Mr. Ridgeway whether he will, or he will not, make a new edition; and, in case he should decline it, then to cause him to declare that he will have no objection against any other who may reprint the said pamphlet. In a word, I am determined to have a new edition, provided I may meet with your concurrence at any rate, I beg you will consider the business, and so let me know to what sum the expense of a new edition may amount, that I can act accordingly. This you will please to tell Mr. Ridgeway, that he will receive orders for fifty copies ready paid from Denmark, as soon as a new edition, improved and reviewed by you, shall have passed the boundaries of the press. Till I have the good fortune of hearing from you, I dare not trouble you with more news; and therefore I will content myself with adding that Mr. Silberschildt will be happy, on my account, to forward your letters to me.

In the mean time let me intreat you to allow me your wonted affection.

P.S. I have mentioned your name, and your affection towards my country, to the vice-president of the Royal Society of Sciences established in Norway, under the presidency of his royal highness, brother to his Majesty. I wish you to become a member of that learned body. Pray

let me know how far it meets your inclination. And so fare you well.

MR. PINKERTON TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.*

Kentish Town, Nov. 21st, 1791.

I was honored with three of your lordship's in one day, and am infinitely obliged by your attentions. The miniature is safe at Mr. Nichols's, and shall be soon carefully returned. I expected either portrait or costume of the royal dress of Scotland from it, but am rather disappointed. That Alexander III. was present at the coronation of Edward I. is an historical fact; but the present seems an unreal delineation. How can we account for Alexander, nay, and Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, being dressed in the identical robes and color of the English king? The different monarchs of Europe had dresses, colors and embroidered figures appropriated: for instance, France blue with fleurs-de-lis of gold. At the

Upon this letter Lord Buchan has made the following indorsement." Pinkerton on Lord Buchan's limning of the Coronation of Edward I. I furnished about sixty drawings, most of which were by my own hand, to Pinkerton for his Iconographia Scotica, and procured artists and correspondents for his undertaking; but he, being no wise skilled in the fine arts, allowed the undertaking to be bungled by the employment of incorrect and inferior engravers. He acknowledged his obligations to me in very sparing and general terms in his preface."