"travelling towards the Heaven of Heavens, the pure empyreum of incomprehensible excellence!!"' O blessed day, when we shall meet in those regions! When we shall have escaped from all the evils, and shall have completed all the labours of this imperfect state, and commenced actors of nobler parts, and spectators of more delightful scenes, than have ever been assigned for the employment or gratification of mortals.

With sentiments of affection

and great esteem,

I am sincerely yours,

JOHN LATHROP.

LETTER CCLVII.

Dear Doctor,

From the same.

Boston, Nov. 2, 1803. I thank you for your very acceptable favour of July the 15th, and the pamphlets connected with the subject of Vaccination and the Humane Society. The world is greatly indebted to the medical gentlemen of Great Britain, not only for the discoveries which they have made, but for their noble, and in many respects disinterested, exertions to alleviate the miseries of human nature. Vaccination certainly bids fair to exterminate one of the greatest destroyers of mankind. When we

consider the millions of the children of men, which may, and which we hope will, be saved from death by this wonderful discovery, we should praise the Most High for this singular instance of his care and goodness. But, alas! the greatest benefits are by multitudes disregarded. Enough has been done on this side of the Atlantic to prove the efficacy of vaccination, as a security against the small-pox; but when our people find they have the remedy at hand, they very generally neglect it I fear nothing but present danger will awaken them. Should the small-pox come among us, and kill two or three hundred, the security against it will be sought for. In this we must conduct ourselves as we do in many other things; we must do our duty; we must point out to our friends and neighbours the means of safety, and then leave it with them to act for themselves. I rejoice that in many other parts of the world, greater attention is given to this interesting subject. Superstition is sometimes made the instrument of good. Veneration for the cow has brought multitudes of the Asiatics to embrace the means of their temporal salvation; and as to their eternal condition, we may hope a Divine Parent will not be wanting in goodness. He who provides for the present condition of man, is equally ready to provide for the future. Yes, my dear friend, the Temple of Janus is again opened; again we hear the noise of war. The time of rest has been short; we congratulated each other on a general peace; we then thought

I

the nations had suffered enough to make repose desirable, and to give a prospect of its long continuance; but those passions which produce war and fightings were not subdued. He only who conducts the storms in the natural and in the political world, can restrain those awful passions which threaten Europe with slaughter and misery. pray God you may be preserved from that ambitious Usurper, who has brought many and powerful nations to his feet. God has suffered him to afflict the people; and how long he may be suffered to hold up the sword over those who have not strength to oppose him, no mortal can say. It has not, however, been uncommon for such tyrants to fall suddenly, and end their career in disgrace.

I am, &c.

JOHN LATHROP.

LETTER CCLVIII.

Dear Doctor,

From the same.

Boston, May 18, 1810. I take this good opportunity to write by Mr. Francis Parkman, son of a valuable member of the Christian society to which I belong, and who is one of the most successful merchants of this place. Young Mr. Parkman, who will do himself the

honour to call on you, has received the advantage of an education at Cambridge, and is pursuing a course of studies to prepare him for a public teacher of religion. He has for a companion, Mr. Hurd, who was also educated at our Cambridge, and is preparing for the same profession. They will pass some time in London, and then go to Edinburgh to attend the lectures, connected with the profession for which they are preparing.

It is, Sir, a pleasing reflection, that a love of general science has a strong tendency to keep the best people, in all nations, in friendship with each other. When men of information, and of good principles, from remote parts of the world, visit each other, they feel an interest in each other's country, and they will do what they can to remove prejudices, and prevent the quarrels which selfish and passionate men too often excite.

Some of the consequences of the dreadful convulsions in Europe have been felt on this side the Atlantic. It cannot be denied, that the influential men in our country have been, and are still, divided in their opinions, but under the guidance of a wise and good Providence we have hitherto been kept out of a destructive warfare. There have been seasons when the friends of peace and of order had great fear that the more violent among us would have driven the people into war with England; but we think the danger now is not great. The restrictions which our government thought proper to lay on commerce, had not the

effect which was expected, and in their wisdom they now permit the citizens of America to go wherever the other nations of the world will admit them. A large portion of our country now entertain a hope that such a treaty may be formed between Great Britain and America, as shall be to our mutual advantage, and our mutual safety.

What Heaven designs for the Continent of Europe, time will evince. We, who believe in the government of a Being infinite in power and in wisdom, still hope that good will come out of evil, and order at length will spring out of confusion for "He maketh the wrath of man to praise Him, and the remainder of wrath He will restrain." With the best wishes, and with sincere good will to you and yours,

I am your friend

;

JOHN LATHROP.

LETTER CCLIX.

Dr. WATERHOUSE to Dr. LETTSOM.

Cambridge, Dec. 4, 1791.

I am not absolutely certain whether I received your very acceptable present of Clavigero's History of Mexico, with some other publications, be