thy friend seems to think, that my interest and gratification ought to be entirely out of the question; in this, I know, you will differ from him, as well as in some insinuations touching my character, which, I confess, pique me a little. But this entre nous. I have the greatest regard for him, notwithstanding, on account of his learning and worth; and I am pretty certain he has a regard for me; but I thought it was best to speak plain, and put an end to the affair at once. Be assured, that I did not form my present resolution without very good reason."

It was obviously Dr Beattie's intention, that I should transmit this letter to Lord Hailes, as containing a full statement of our friend's determination, and of his reasons for it. But I confess, the letter did not altogether please me. I thought it written in a tone somewhat too peremptory, in reply to so well-meant a communication. On consulting with two of our most intimate friends,

who entirely agreed with me in my opinion of the letter, I resolved not to send it to Lord Hailes, but rather to copy out some paragraphs from it, which I transmitted to him. At the same time, I thought it right to send to Dr Beattie an exact copy of what I had thus written. The following letters, which I received in reply, closed the correspondence on the subject.

LETTER LXXIX.

LORD HAILES TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES.

New Hailes, 29th April, 1774.

"I am sorry to see that Dr Beattie is so resolved: I do not see that more can be said; he seems to be dissatisfied with something that you and I have said, I am sure without reason. Who the people are, whose judgment I would think good in other matters, and who have confirmed him in his resolutions, I know not, nor can I venture to guess I possibly suspect one, of whose sound head, and distinguished abilities, I have a just sense; but he and I do not always think in

the same way. I could mention men, well known in the literary world, dead and alive, who thought and think very differently from some of the Doctor's friends, but I have my reasons for being silent as to names. Since this affair has taken so unfortunate a turn, you and I have done what we thought right, Dr Beattie has done what he thought right, and there is no more to be said; I hope, that all will be for the best.

"When you write to Dr Beattie, please assure him, in the warmest manner, of my good wishes and regard."

LETTER LXXX.

DR BEATTIE TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES.

Aberdeen, 8th May, 1774.

"I have this moment received your packet, which I shall answer, at some length, hereafter. In the meantime, I take the opportunity to tell you, by the return of the post, that your conduct, in the whole of this business, is prudent, benevolent, and friendly. I beg, therefore, you may

make your mind perfectly easy on that head. Show this, letter to Mr Arbuthnot."*

As I wished to show at once the whole of the correspondence respecting the Edinburgh professorship, in order that what passed on that occasion may be the more distinctly known, I delayed to insert the following letters, which were written in the interval, between the two periods. of that correspondence.

* In this letter, which was ostensible, I found inclosed a slip of paper, on which he had written to me the following most affectionate note:

"I cannot help telling you on this scrap, that I could have wished you had been entirely determined by your own judgement, in the affair of the letter. Not that there was any harm in consulting those two friends, whom nobody on earth can honour more than I do; but because I wish you to believe, that your opinion alone is at any time sufficient authority with me, for the propriety of any measure you may be pleased to recommend. There is not a thought of my heart, which I wish to conceal from you; and I have been long accustomed to lay my mind open to you, with less reserve, than to any body else; indeed, without any sort of reserve at all. It may, therefore, sometimes happen, that I shall write to you, what I would not wish any body else to read."

LETTER LXXXI.

DR BEATTIE TO MRS MONTAGU.

Aberdeen, 18th December, 1773.

My studies proceed so slowly, that I can hardly be said to study at all; which, after what I have told you, will not appear surprising. I have, however, added largely to my discourse on classical learning, and have been looking out for materials towards the finishing of my other little essays. If the subscription-affair succeed, I hope I shall have every thing in readiness in due time. I understand, by a letter from Mr Gregory to one of his friends here, that he has been obliged to lay aside the scheme of publishing his father's works in one volume; two of the treatises being (it seems) the property of Dodsley the bookseller: this has made me postpone, to a time of more leisure, what I intended to write on the subject of the doctor's character. I knew that Mr Gregory* would please you: he is, indeed,

* Dr James Gregory, (eldest son of the late Dr John Gregory,) a physician of the first eminence, at present, in Edinburgh, and