feemed (as well as I recollect) to think the anecdotes of Procopius fpurious; there are ftrange anecdotes in them, and of a very different caft from his Hiftory. Can it be traced up when they first came to light?

Excufe this fhort interruption from much better employments or amufements; and believe me, Sir, with the greatest regard, your moft obedient humble fervant, HARDWICKE.

P. S. It has occurred to me, that a map of the progrefs and native seat of the northern hives would greatly elucidate and explain that part of your Hif. tory. It may be done in a fecond edition.

N° CXXXVI.

Dr. ROBERTSON to Mr. GIBBON,

DEAR SIR, COLLEGE of EDINBURGH, Nov. 6th, 1781.

SOON

WOON after my return I had a long conversation with our friend Mr. Smith, in which I stated to him every particular you mentioned to me, with refpect to the propriety of going on with your great work. I was happy to find, that his opinion coincided perfectly with that which I had ventured to give you. His decifions, you know, are both prompt and vigorous; and he would not allow that you ought to hesitate a moment in your choice. He promised to write his fentiments to you very fully. But as he may have neglected to do this, for it is not willingly that he puts pen to paper, I thought it might be agreeable to you to know his opinion, though I imagine you could hardly entertain any doubt concerning it. I hope you have brought fuch a stock of health and

fpirits from Brighthelmftone, that you are fet seriously at your desk, and that in two winters or fo, you will difplay the crefcent of Mahomet on the dome of St. Sophia. I met t'other day, in a work addreffed to yourself, a fenfible paffage from F. Paul, which perfectly removes one of your chief difficulties, as to the barrennefs of fome parts of your period. Hayley's Effay on History, p. 133. By the bye, who is this Mr. Hayley? His poetry has more merit than that of most of his contemporaries; but his whiggifm is fo bigotted, and his Chriftianity fo fierce, that he almost disgufts one with two very good things.

I have got quite well long ago, and am perfectly free from deafnefs; but I cannot yet place myself in any class but that of the multa & præclara minantes. Befo kind as to remember me to Lord Loughborough and Mr. Craufurd, and believe me to be, with most fincere refpect and attachment, yours very faithfully, WILLIAM ROBERTSON.

N° CXXXVII.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to Mrs. GIBBON, Bath.

DEAR MADAM, BRIGHTHELMSTONE, Nov. 28, 1781.

I RETURNED to this place with Lord and Lady Shef

field, with the design of paffing two or three weeks ina fituation which had fo highly delighted me. But how vain are all fublunary hopes! I had forgot that there is fome difference between the funshine of Auguft and the cold fogs (though we have uncom. mon good weather) of November. Inftead of my beautiful fea fhore, I am confined to a dark lodging

in

in the middle of the town; for the place is ftill full, and our time is now spent in the dull imitation of a London life. To complete my misfortunes, Lord Sheffield was haftily ordered to Canterbury and Deal, to fupprefs fome disturbances, and I was left almoft alone with my Lady, in the fervile state of a married man. But he returns to day, and I hope to be feated my own library by the middle of next week. However, you will not be forry to hear that I have refreshed myself by a very idle fummer, and indeed a much idler and more pleasant winter than the House of Commons will ever allow me to enjoy again. I had almoft forgot Mr. Hayley; ungratefully enough, fince I already paffed a very fimple, but entertaining day with him. His place, though fmall, is elegant as his mind, which I value much more highly. Mrs. **** wrote a melancholy ftory of an American mother, a friend of her friend, who in a fhort time had lost three fons; one killed by the favages, one run mad from the fright at that accident, and the third taken at fea, now in England, a prifoner in Forton hofpital. For him fomething might perhaps be done. Your humanity will prompt you to obtain from Mrs. **** a more accurate account of names, dates, and circumftances; but you will prudently fupprefs my request, left I should raise hopes which it may not be in my power to gratify. Lady S. begs to fend her kindeft compliments to you. I am, dear Madam, ever yours.

N° CXXXVIII.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to Mrs. GIBBON, Bath. July 3d, 1782.

DEAR MADAM,

I HOPE you have not had a moment's uneafinefs about the delay of my Midfummer letter. Whatever may happen, you may reft fully fecure, that the materials of it shall always be found. But on this occafion I have miffed four or five pofts; poftponing, as ufual, from morning to the evening bell, which now rings, till it has occurred to me, that it might not be amifs to enclose the two effential lines, if I only added that the influenza has been known to me only by the report of others. Lord Rockingham is at laft dead; a good man, whatever he might be a minifter: his fucceffor is not yet named, and divifions in the Cabinet are fufpected. If Lord Shelburne fhould be the man, as I think he will, the friends of his predeceffor will quarrel with him before Christmas. At all events, I foresee much tumult and ftrong oppofition, from which I should be very glad to extricate my felf, by quitting the Houfe of Commons with honor. Whatever you may hear, I believe there is not the leaft intention of diffolving Parliament, which would indeed be a rafh and dangerous meafure. I hope you like Mr. Hayley's poem; he rifes with his fubject, and fince Pope's death, I am fatisfied that England has not feen fo happy a mixture of strong sense and flowing numbers. Are you not delighted with his addrefs to his mother? I understand that she was in plain, profe every thing that he speaks her in verfe. This fummer I fhall ftay in town, and work at my

trade, till I make fome holidays for my Bath excur fion. Lady Sheffield is at Brighton, and he is under tents, like the wild Arabs; fo that my country houfe is fhut up. I am, dear Madam, ever yours.

N° CXXXIX.

EDWARD GIBBON Efquire to the Right Honorable Lord SHEFFIELD, Camp, Coxheath.

BENTINCK-STREET, 1782.

I SYMPATHIZE with your fatigues; yet Alexander, Hannibal, &c. have fuffered hardships almost equal to yours. At fuch a moment it is difagreeable (befides laziness) to write, because every hour teems with a new lie. As yet, however, only Charles has formally refigned; but Lord John", Burke, Keppel, Lord Althorpe, &c. certainly follow; your Lord Lieutenant stays. In short, three months of profperity has diffolved a phalanx, which had flood ten years adverfity. Next Tuesday, Fox will give his reasons, and poffibly be encountered by Pitt, the new Secretary, or Chancellor ", at three-and-twenty. The day will be rare and curious, and, if I were a light dragoon, I would take a gallop on purpose to Westminfter. Adieu. I hear the bell. How could I write before I knew where you dwelt?

N' CXL.