LETTER XXXII.

To AMBROSE SERLE, Esq.

Broad-Hembury, Dec. 8, 1773.

I CANNOT but smile, at the ease and readiness, with which we cut out work for each other. My dear friend's politeness, in so condescendingly hearkening to my solicitations for the public appearance of his masterly thoughts, should induce me, by every tie of respectful gratitude, to meet his wishes, with equal facility. But I am really unqualified for the department assigned me by his partiality of esteem. My acquaintance with the fathers is too slender, and my general compass of reading far too contracted, for the undertaking you recommend. I should be master of at least, Irenæus, Epiphanius, and Austin, to write, in a manner tolerably satisfactory, on so complicated a subject, as a review of heretics and heresies. I have, it is true, many subsidiary helps; but I ever wish, where the nature of the case will possibly admit, to derive my informations, not at second hand, but from the fountain's head. Allow me, dear sir, to recommend the proposal, to the proposer himself. The work would be as complete, as any human performance can be, if you was to oblige and improve the world with the projected looking glass for heretics.

Glad I am, to be informed, that your defence of the Messiah's divinity is almost finished. My admiration is sure to be excited, by every thing you write: nor shall my most sacred wishes be wanting, that God would stamp general usefulness on all your attempts for the glory of his name.

Your design, of honouring and gratifying me with the first perusal of your treatise, calls for more acknowledgment than I am able to express. Next

to your conversation, I can receive no higher intellectual feast, than that which results from a perusal of your writings. Though self-interest, therefore, operates, in this matter, too strongly on my mind, to admit of my declining so decisive a proof of your affectionate friendship; yet, that I may not be too greatly indulged at the public expence, I cannot, help intimating a desire, that my enjoyment of the first-fruits may not prejudice the harvest: I mean, that the advanced parts of your work may be transmitted hither, so seasonably, as not to delay the publication of the whole.

Accept my thanks, likewise, for the promised sight of what you are pleased to style the Versus inertes. If they "give me the head-ach," I will let you know it: and, by the same rule, if they charm me into admiration, your delicacy must dispense with my telling you so.

The subject of ordination, revives my wish, that you would submit to the imposition of hands. The church would then (a very uncommon thing in this age) be a gainer at the expence of the state.

LETTER XXXIII.

To Mrs. MACAULAY.

Broad-Hembury, Jan. 11, 1774.

LAST Saturday, I returned from a short excursion to Dorsetshire. Though you can be no stranger to the loss, which the public have sustained in the decease of Mr. Hollis; yet, it is possible, you may not have been apprised of the particulars, by an authen

tic hand.

That friend of the British empire and of mankind was, early in the afternoon of New-Year's Day, in a field, at some distance from his place of residence at Corscombe, attended by only one workman, who was receiving his directions, concerning a tree, which had been lately felled. On a sudden, he put one of his fingers to his forehead; saying, "Richard, I believe the weather is going to change: I am extremely giddy." These words were scarce off his lips, when he dropped. He fell on his left side: and, being near a hedge, his head was received by the subjacent ditch. The man (I know not, whether a carpenter, or a common labourer) sprung to his assistance; and, raising him from that sad situation, administered what little relief he could. The expiring patriot was still sufficiently himself, to say, Lord, have mercy on me; Lord, have mercy on me; receive my soul:" which were the last words he was able to pronounce. His lips moved, afterwards; but no sound was formed. In a few seconds more, his spirit was disimprisoned.

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The frighted assistant lost no time. Leaving the corpse on the grass, he hastened away, for superior help. But in vain. The lancet, when applied, was without effect.

It seems Mr. Hollis always wished that his death might be sudden. Providence was pleased to grant his request.-Was I qualified to choose for myself, and were it lawful to make it a subject of prayer, I would wish for the same indulgence, whenever my appointed change may come.

It is,

I think, the most desirable mode of departure, where the person is in a state of grace. How happy, to be surprised into heaven! And, to surviving friends, it is but a single shock, once for all.

At the time of his decease, Mr. Hollis was ready booted; intending to ride that day to Lyme Regis. When I was there, it was my melancholy lot to occupy the chamber in which he always slept, during

his occasional stay in that town, and which had been prepared for his reception, two or three nights before. It was at the Three Cups: an inn, which he purchased a few years ago.

How black is the ingratitude of human nature! Though this valuable man lived entirely to the benefit of others, and may be classed with the most public-spirited worthies that ever breathed; yet I have seldom known a death so little regretted by the generality. An eminent foreigner was of opinion, that "there is no such thing as friendship in the world." Had he said, "there is not much," he would have hit the mark.

"With fame, in just proportion, envy grows: The man that makes a character, makes foes."

Very exalted virtue is often admired: but not often loved. What is the reason? Because, few are truly virtuous. And we must have some virtue ourselves, ere we are capable of loving it in others, or of loving others for it.

You knew and esteemed Mr. Hollis' virtues; nor (which is one of the highest encomiums his memory can receive) was he unworthy even of your friendship.

Allow me, madam, to express my wish, that the precious blood and the imputed righteousness of the adorable Messiah, who lived and died for sinners, may present you, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, faultless and complete before the uncreated Majesty. But, for the sake of those whom, in virtue and in knowledge, you so greatly surpass; may you be long detained from receiving that crown of life, to which (I trust) the Son of God has redeemed you by the atonement of his inestimable death.

AUGUSTUS TOPLADY.

LETTER XXXIV.

TO AMBROSE SERLE, Esq.

Broad-Hembury, Jan. 11, 1774.

I was in Dorsetshire, when dear Mr. S-'s favour of the 4th instant, arrived here: else my thanks had waited on him much earlier than they now do, for his repeated obligations. I never was master of so useful a pocket-book, as that, which your last packet conveyed. Nor have I often met with compositions so pleasing, and so profitable as those, which your friendship was so good as to communicate, under the same inclosure. But how could my dear friend (whose judgment rarely fails, unless when his own pieces are the objects of its criticism) ever think of submitting such finished performances to my corrections? No. To preserve their excellence, they must continue as they are. I must say of them, as Handell said concerning the old tune of the 100th Psalm, when he was asked to improve that consummate piece of noble music: "was I to alter a note, I should spoil the whole."-Make your obligation complete, by favouring me with more of those elegant and devout productions. If you have copies of those already sent, I shall beg leave to keep them. If not, I shall solicit your permission to transcribe them, before they are returned.

I was once in company with Mr. M'Gregor, of Woolwich; whom you have honoured with your pious, benevolent, and judicious animadversions. I believe him to be a good man: but he is, certainly, a very ignorant one. If you suffer yourself to be at the beck of every conceited nibbler, who dreams himself qualified to contest the plainest truths, you