I have been induced, at the desire of a friend, to read Dr. Squirrell's pamphlet on the Cow-pock. It is full of either the most gross ignorance, or wilful falsehood, that can be, most of which I could answer myself. His style too is very abusive. I have sent the book back to my friend with these lines from Cowper's Task, b. vi.

He perks his ears, and stamps, and cries aloud
With all the prettiness of feign'd alarm,

And anger insignificantly fierce.

J. P.

LETTER CXXIX.

From the same.

Clare Hall, Oct. 16, 1806.

Your letter of September the 7th reached me only on Friday last, on which day likewise your very obliging packet arrived: for both I beg you to accept my best thanks. The Report of the Royal Humane Society has given rise to the lines* which I send upon the opposite leaf. You will, perhaps,

stored to one of his subjects, who otherwise would have been prematurely consigned to the grave. Vide Annual Reports of the Royal Humane Society for 1807 and 1815. ED.

* Vide Appendix, No. III.

I have no other method of attacking you but on the highway, super strata viarum, which will apologize for the autograph. The Royal Humane Society still supports itself with distinguished character; our finances are favourable, and our ardour not cooled, though we lament the loss of its founder. * That we respect his memory you will be convinced by the Report of 1810, the second of my treasurership. If I live to finish that of 1811, I hope you will find it interesting. I imagine it will be the last I shall engage in. Under an indulgent Providence, I am as alert as in the days of my youth; but various avocations press upon me; and, my friend, you know, that the mind should take a pause between the two worlds, if it can a little plume its wings, and prepare for a flight into that which, although invisible, is durable. Alas! what have I done to enable me to take that flight upwards? In the last Anniversary Sermon for this Society, the preacher

* Dr. Hawes. ED. + Rev. Henry White, M. A. ED.

introduced, among the providential means of saving life, the subject of Vaccination, with an ardour animated and impressive. At our dinner about 250 members assembled, with a flow of soul, and not less of pecuniary support. The Anniversary Dinner of the Sea-Bathing Infirmary was more numerously attended than at any previous meeting; indeed Charity in this metropolis is more liberally supported than ever was heretofore known. At the Anniversary of the Society for the Deaf and Dumb 3000l. were subscribed, of which 700l. were brought by Abraham Goldsmid the Jew. At the Jews' Hospital 25001. of which about 1000l. by the Christians. Thus Charity, which descends from Heaven, is designed to canopy the whole earth; and England, like an immeasurable mirror, reflects the heavenly rays from pole to pole.

taining an invitation to your ensuing Installation

but truly, I would rather enjoy your academic

ground with leisure, than in the tumult of adventitious pomp; though I do not mean to condemn what adds dignity to science, emulation to genius, and reward to literature. Your volume has not yet got into the Trade-winds, to be conveyed to America. The Non-intercourse Act against reciprocal commerce extends to literature; but the means of communicating science and promoting morals, should be free as air. You are ever so much interested in promoting benevolence, and those amities which Christ practised, and the Gospel promulgates, that I feel a pleasure in resorting to subjects that gratify your mind, because they are near your heart. Hence I inclose to you my last Report of the Royal Humane Society, with the additional information, that the objects of the Institution are prosecuted with the ardour that Hawes inspired, and with an increase of finances, that characterizes the liberality of the Nation. I think you will find this year's Report more interesting than any preceding one. Amidst the crash of thrones, and the outrages against humanity, with what pleasure can we contemplate the Christian virtues of the British nation, which are exemplified in perpetual subscriptions and benefactions in favour of suffering humanity; to the stranger as well as to domestic wants! Our charities have each been this year more liberally supported than heretofore: hence morality and subordination have more and more humanized all ranks of

the community, and the poor in particular. Heaven preserve such a combination of virtue!

By the death of Lord Romney, the Earl of Liverpool has accepted the presidency of the General Sea-Bathing Infirmary, which prospers. His Lordship dined with us lately, staid five hours with us, and gave us 100l. When Lord Peterboro' had passed some time with Fenelon, he said, "If I stay any longer I shall be a Christian in spite of myself." So condescending was Lord Liverpool, that had he staid an hour longer he would have made a ministerialist of your friend, J. C. LETTSOM.

LETTER CXXXII.

The Rev. J. PLUMPTRE to Dr. LETTSOM.

Clare Hall, July 7, 1810.

I am truly rejoiced at the good account you send me of your health and "alertness," and hope you will live to draw up many more Reports of the Royal Humane Society, and other writings: you have talked of a fourth volume of Hints. What you say on the subject of "a pause between the two worlds," reminds me of a passage I lately read in Bishop Taylor's Sermon on the death of Sir George Dalstone, printed at the end of his Wor thy Communicant, in which he quotes a saying of