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pages of Priestley, and heard two good sermons. The best of which, in my opinion, was Mr Lewin's; and the other Mr Smith's. They both belong to Benn's Gardens Chapel. Mr Nicholls called last night, who informed me that he sent the note by his boy, who left it with the servant, and that when he went again, Mr Yates had not received it; so that I have not yet received the books, which I am very sorry for. I forgot to tell you, Winfield and all the other part of the family are very well, and that Mrs Tracey said, I said my French task very well last Saturday. I am now almost at the end of my letter, and shall therefore answer all questions in your letter, which I received this morning, which I have not already answered. And in the first place. I have not seen Mr Kingston since. I am glad that you liked my letter to Joe, which I was afraid he had not received, as you said nothing about it. Does he intend to answer me? Miss Shepherd will go on Monday, I believe, and I shall go with

her. I have not seen Mr Yates since I wrote last. I do not converse in French; but I and Miss Tracey have a book, something like a vocabulary, where we get the meanings of words. Miss Tracey never does accompts, but I take an hour or two every other day. I will follow

your Greek precept. Give my best love to mamma, and tell her I shall write to her next time, and hope she will write to me in answer to it. Give my respects to Mr and Miss Cottons, and to every other enquirer, not forgetting Kynaston. I wish people made larger paper. I shall put this into the post-office tonight, Monday evening."

"I am your affectionate son,

"WILLIAM HAZLITT."

"Wem, March 1790.

"MY DEAR WILLIAM,

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Your

brother said, that your letter to him, was very long, very clever, and very entertaining. On Wednesday evening, we had your letter, which was finished on the preceding Monday. The piety displayed in the first part of it was a great refreshment to me; continue to cherish those thoughts, which then occupied your mind; continue to be virtuous, and you will finally be that happy being whom you describe; and, to this purpose, you have nothing more to do than to pursue that conduct, which will always yield you the highest pleasures even in this present life. But he who once gives way to any

known vice, in the very instant hazards his total depravity and total ruin. You must, therefore, fixedly resolve never, through any possible motives, to do any thing which you believe to be wrong. This will be only resolving never to be miserable; and this I rejoicingly expect will be the unwavering resolution of my William. Your conversation upon the Test Act did you honour. If we only think justly, we shall always easily foil all the advocates of tyranny. The inhospitable ladies, whom you mention, were, perhaps, treated by you with too great severity. We know not how people may be circumstanced at a particular moment, whose disposition is generally friendly. They may, then, happen to pass under a cloud, which unfits them for social intercourse. We must see them more than once or twice to be able to form a tolerable judgment of their characters. There are but few, like Mrs Tracey, who can always appear what they really are. I do not say, however, that the English ladies, whom you mentioned, are not exactly as you described them. I only wish to caution you against forming too hasty a judgment of characters, who can seldom be known at a single interview. I wish you, if you can, to become master of the gamut while you are there. I am I am glad that

you have made so great a progress in French, and that you are so very anxious to hear Mr Clegg's lectures. It is a pity that you cannot have another month at the French, &c. But, as matters are, I hope you will be soon able to master that language. I am glad that you employed the last Sunday so well; and that the employment afforded you so much satisfaction. Nothing else can truly satisfy us, but the acquisition of knowledge and virtue. May these blessings be your's more and more every day! On Thursday morning we had a letter from Mr Boatt, written at Boston, 24th of June, just five weeks before we received it. He was fortysix days on his passage from England, with agreeable company. They had sometimes very heavy weather, and so extremely cold, that the sails were frozen to the yards. The last winter was very extraordinary, and very unhealthy in America. Consequently, many persons died in Boston, and in other parts of the country. He says concerning you, "I read Billy's letter to Fanny, and she was delighted with it. She sends her love to him; but Fanny has lost the recollection of her little play-fellow. The letter does Billy much credit. He has uncommon powers of mind; and, if nothing happens to prevent his receiving a liberal education, he

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must make a great man." This compliment, I know, will not make you proud, or conceited, but more diligent. He also desires his and Mrs Boatt's affectionate regards to Billy. You see how careful I am to transmit to you all the news in my power. I must, now, give you some information and directions concerning your return home.

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Before you leave Liverpool you will not neglect to call upon all persons who have shown you any particular civilities. You will thank Mr Nicholls for the trouble you have given him, and especially your masters for their attention to you, and Mr Yates for his books, which you will be careful to return in the good order in which you received them. You will give my respects to Mr Yates. I wish that he, amongst his friends, could procure for your brother engagements for about a score of pictures at Liverpool this summer, that we might have the pleasure of seeing him here. Your mother gives her love; and she unites with me in affectionate regards to Mrs and all the Miss Traceys. I am, my dear William, your truly affectionate father,

"Wednesday, March 1790.

"W. HAZLitt.