Vol. I. page 20, line 19, readcrown, and-p. 81, l. 1, før come comes-p. 83, 1. 22, for I's r. first-p. 85, l. 11, r. the people-p. 103, 2. 16, dele if-p. 209, L. 12, for adapted r. adopted-p. 212, l. 18, for machinic r. mechanic-p. 219, l. 6, r. is unknown. Vol. II. page 16, line 5, read ftretches forth-p. 25, l. 19, for fertiler, futile-p. 30, L. 24, for profpect r. profpects-p. 47, 4. 20, for tinger. hingep. 51, 1. 6, r. of the prefent-p. 81, l. 10, dele at p. 136, 1. 10, dele that-p. 177, 1. 3, for operations r. operation; after caufes dele,-p. 221, l. 16, for die r. dies-p. 279, l. 17, for moment r. movement. LETTER XXVII. To the Rev. Father FABIO MARETTI Dear Sir, at Rome. T is a terrible thing for a traveller to pass over a country which has not had its most remarkable rivers, hills, and fituations, defcribed by poets who have written in fome language univerfally known. It would be an excellent relief at a dull moment to fill up a letter to a correfpondent with quotations of fine poefy, after having described the place in profe; but to what pur pose would all the elegant defcriptions which have been given of the Thames, its forefts, profpects, and paradifaic fcenes, be transcribed for your eye, who understand not this language? VOL. II. B A A thousand years hence, when the writers of this nation become like the Claffics of ours, and Englifh as much ftudied at Rome as the Latin language has been by this people, a traveller may fill up a volume, like Addison, whom you have heard of, with quotations from the ancients, as they will be then call'd, and be admired for wit which is not his own. The time may come when the Thames and Severn, rivers of England will be known in Italy by thousands, their streams renown'd, and the names of Tyber, Po, and Clytumnus, their prefent rivals, be forgotten in the countries through which they flow. The tomb of Shakespeare will be vifited with as much adoration as that of Virgil, and with as just reason, if genius can give merit to human nature. Clarendon will be remember'd as Livy, and Milton rever'd as the Homer of old Greece. Bacon and Newton adored as the fuperior productions of the creation. Alas! I live a thousand years too foon to travel in this country with eclat. This gives me no other pain, but that of being deprived of enriching this letter with fomething worthy your regard; however at the time of the milennium, when we fhall be all upon earth again, and understand all languages, I fhall make another voyage on purpose for that reason. UNDER the prefent circumstances there can be nothing faid of this country, more than that the rivers flow amidst the fairest meadows enriched with lowing herds and flocks, adorned with afpiring elms, and cover'd with the finest verdure. The hills are crowned with perennial oaks, the golden corn waves to the breathing breeze, and tho' no olive-trees or vineyards grace the foil, the trees are loaded with the ruddy pear and yellow apple, prefage of liquour that rivals the old, Falernian or Sabine wine. Plenty bursts forth to every view; a cleanliness unknown to the peasants of any nation, is, vifible in every village; the country seems yet untainted; the fmiling face of liberty fhines, amongst the inhabitants, and a wealth which no people ever boasted, of their rank, is to be found amongst the farmers of this ifle.! WITH thefe people, integrity is yet to be found; they love the country which gave them B 2 birth, 1 |