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letters to his son, 1752-第22章

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here inclosed a piece upon that subject; written by the late Dean Swift: I believe you will not dislike it。  You will easily guess why it never was printed: it is authentic; and I have the original in his own handwriting。  His ;Jupiter; at the Day of judgment; treats them much as you do; and as they deserve to be treated。

Give me leave; Sir; to tell you freely; that I am embarrassed upon your account; as I cannot determine what it is that I wish from you。  When I read your last history; I am desirous that you should always write history; but when I read your 'Rome Sauvee' (although ill…printed and disfigured); yet I then wish you never to deviate from poetry; however; I confess that there still remains one history worthy of your pen; and of which your pen alone is worthy。  You have long ago given us the history of the greatest and most outrageous madman (I ask your pardon if I cannot say the greatest hero) of Europe; you have given us latterly the history of the greatest king; give us now the history of the greatest and most virtuous man in Europe; I should think it degrading to call him king。 To you this cannot be difficult; he is always before your eyes: your poetical invention is not necessary to his glory; as that may safely rely upon your historical candor。  The first duty of an historian is the only one he need require from his; 'Ne quid falsi dicere audeat; ne quid veri non audeat'。  Adieu; Sir!  I find that I must admire you every day more and more; but I also know that nothing ever can add to the esteem and attachment with which I am actually; your most humble and most obedient servant; CHESTERFIELD。




LETTER CLXXVI

LONDON; September 19; 1752;

MY DEAR FRIEND:  Since you have been at Hanover; your correspondence has been both unfrequent and laconic。  You made indeed one great effort in folio on the 18th; with a postscript of the 22d August; N。 S。; and since that; 'vous avez rate in quarto'。  On the 3lst August; N。 S。; you give me no informations of what I want chiefly to know; which is; what Dr。 Hugo (whom I charged you to consult) said of your asthmatic complaint; and what he prescribed you to prevent the returns of it; and also what is the company that; you keep there; who has been kind and civil to you; and who not。

You say that you go constantly to the parade; and you do very well; for though you are not of that trade; yet military matters make so great a part both of conversation and negotiation; that it is very proper not to be ignorant of them。  I hope you mind more than the mere exercise of the troops you see; and that you inform yourself at the same time; of the more material details; such as their pay; and the difference of it when in and out of quarters; what is furnished them by the country when in quarters; and what is allowed them of ammunition; bread; etc。; when in the field; the number of men and officers in the several troops and companies; together with the non…commissioned officers; as 'caporals; frey…caporals; anspessades'; sergeants; quarter…masters; etc。; the clothing how frequent; how good; and how furnished; whether by the colonel; as here in England; from what we call the OFF…RECKONINGS; that is; deductions from the men's pay; or by commissaries appointed by the government for that purpose; as in France and Holland。  By these inquiries you will be able to talk military with military men; who; in every country in Europe; except England; make at least half of all the best companies。  Your attending the parades has also another good effect; which is; that it brings you; of course; acquainted with the officers; who; when of a certain rank and service; are generally very polite; well… bred people; 'et du bon ton'。  They have commonly seen a great deal of the world; and of courts; and nothing else can form a gentleman; let people say what they will of sense and learning; with both which a man may contrive to be a very disagreeable companion。  I dare say; there are very few captains of foot; who are not much better company than ever Descartes or Sir Isaac Newton were。  I honor and respect such superior geniuses; but I desire to converse with people of this world; who bring into company their share; at least; of cheerfulness; good…breeding; and knowledge of mankind。  In common life; one much oftener wants small money; and silver; than gold。  Give me a man who has ready cash about him for present expenses; sixpences; shillings; half…crowns; and crowns; which circulate easily: but a man who has only an ingot of gold about him; is much above common purposes; and his riches are not handy nor convenient。  Have as much gold as you please in one pocket; but take care always to keep change in the other; for you will much oftener have occasion for a shilling than for a guinea。  In this the French must be allowed to excel all people in the world: they have 'un certain entregent; un enjouement; un aimable legerete dans la conversation; une politesse aisee et naturelle; qui paroit ne leur rien couter'; which give society all its charms。  I am sorry to add; but it is too true; that the English and the Dutch are the farthest from this; of all the people in the world; I do by no means except even the Swiss。

Though you do not think proper to inform me; I know from other hands that you were to go to the Gohr with a Comte Schullemburg; for eight or ten days only; to see the reviews。  I know also that you had a blister upon your arm; which did you a great deal of good。  I know too; you have contracted a great friendship with Lord Essex; and that you two were inseparable at Hanover。  All these things I would rather have known from you than from others; and they are the sort of things that I am the most desirous of knowing; as they are more immediately relative to yourself。

I am very sorry for the Duchess of Newcastle's illness; full as much upon your as upon her account; as it has hindered you from being so much known to the Duke as I could have wished; use and habit going a great way with him; as indeed they do with most people。  I have known many people patronized; pushed up; and preferred by those who could have given no other reason for it; than that they were used to them。  We must never seek for motives by deep reasoning; but we must find them out by careful observation and attention; no matter what they should be; but the point is; what they are。  Trace them up; step by step; from the character of the person。  I have known 'de par le monde'; as Brantome says; great effects from causes too little ever to have been suspected。  Some things must be known; and can never be guessed。

God knows where this letter will find you; or follow you; not at Hanover; I suppose; but wherever it does; may it find you in health and pleasure! Adieu。




LETTER CLXXVII

LONDON; September 22; O。 S。  1752

MY DEAR FRIEND: The day after the date of my last; I received your letter of the 8th。  I approve extremely of your intended progress; and am very glad that you go to the Gohr with Comte Schullemburg。  I would have you see everything with your own eyes; and hear everything with your own ears: for I know; by very long experience; that it is very unsafe to trust to other people's。  Vanity and interest cause 
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