15/04/2007
The Ancient History of the
Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Grecians and Macedonians
VOLUME 1
M. Rollin - 1830
A Letter
Written by the Right Reverend Dr Francis Atterbury, late Lord
Bishop of Rochester, to M. Rollin.
REVEREND AND MOST LEARNED SIR,
WHEN I was informed by a friend who lives near you, that you were returned to Paris, I resolved to wait on you, as soon as the state of my health would permit. After having been prevented by the gout for some time, I was in hopes at length of paying my respects to you at your house, and went thither, but you were not at home. It is incumbent on me, therefore, to do that in writing, which I could not in person, and to return you my acknowledgments for all the favours you have been pleased to confer upon me, of which, I beg you will be assured, that I shall always retain the most grateful sense.
And indeed I esteem the books you have lately published, as presents of exceeding value, as such as do you very great honour. For I have the highest regard, most excellent Sir, both for you, and for everything that comes from so masterly a hand as yours, in the kind of learning you treat; in which I must believe that you not only excel all other writers, but are at the same time the best master of speaking and thinking well; and I freely confess, that though I had applied some time and pains in cultivating these studies, when I read your volumes over and over again, I was instructed in things by you, of which I was not only entirely ignorant, but in things which I had learned before. You have therefore too modest an opinion of your work, when you declare it composed solely for the instruction of youth. What you write may undoubtedly be read with pleasure and improvement, by persons not acquainted with learning of the same kind. For, whilst you call to mind ancient facts, and things sufficiently known, you do it in such a manner, that you illustrate, you embellish them; still adding something new to the old, something entirely your own to the labours of others; by placing good pictures in a good light, you make them appear with unusual elegance and more exalted beauties, even to those who have seen and studies them most.
In your frequent correspondence with Xenophon, you have certainly extracted from him, both what you relate in many places, and every where his very manner of relating: you seem not only to have imitated, but attained the shining elegance and beautiful simplicity of that author's style: so that, had Xenophon excelled in the French language, in my judgment, he would have used no other words, nor written any other method, upon the subject you treat, than you have done.
I do not say this out of flattery, which is far from being my vice, but from my real sentiments and opinion. As you have enriched me with your fine presents, which I know how incapable I am of repaying either in the same, or in any other kind of learning, I was willing to testify my gratitude and affection for you, and at least to make you some small, though exceedingly unequal, return.
Go on, most learned and venerable Sir, to deserve well of literature, which now lies universally neglected and despised. Go on in forming the youth of France, since you will have their utility to be your sole view, upon the best precepts and examples.
Which that you may effect, may it please God to add many years to your life, and during the course of them to preserve you in health and safety. This is the earnest wish and prayer of
Your most obedient servant,
FRANCIS ROFFIN.P.S. Our friend, your neighbour, tells me you intend to dine with me after the holidays. When you have fixed upon the day, be pleased to let him know it. Whenever you come, you will certainly find one, so weak with age and ills as I am, at home.
December 26, 1731
NOTE: Only the translated version of the letter appears in this online version of the book.
15/04/2007
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