Your smiling Roman heroes were accounted such, as being always ready to sacrifice their lives for the good of their country. He who, without a more sufficient reason than common-place, scurrility, can look with disgust on his native place, is a villain and a villain not fit to live. I am obliged to you for supposing me such a villain. Mr. Lambert considering it no longer prudent to retain Chatterton in his service, after what had occurred, dismissed him, when he had been in his employ two years, nine months, and thirteen days; before, however, he quitted the scrivener's office, he had addressed the following letters to some of his friends. From Chatterton to his Friend Mr. Wm. Smith. "Infallible Doctor, "Let this apologize for long silence.-Your request would have been long since granted, but I know not what it is best to compose: a Hindicasyllabum carmen Hexastichon, Ogdastich, Tetrametrum, or Septennarius. You must know I have been long troubled with a poetical cephalaphonia, for I no sooner begin an acrostic, but I wander into a threnodia.The poem ran thus: the first line, an acatalictos; the second, an otislogia of the first; the third, an acyrologia: the fourth, an epanalepsis of the third; fifth, a diatyposis of beauty; sixth, a diaporesis of success; seventh, a brachy catalecton; eighth, an ecphonesis of explexis. In short, an enpynion could not contain a greater synchysis of such accidents without syzygia. I am resolved to forsake the Parnassian mount, and would advise you to do so too, and attain the mystery of composing smegma. Think not I make a mysterismus in mentioning smegma. No; my mnemosque will let me see (unless I have an amblyopia) your great services, which shall be always remembered by "FLASMOT EYCHAORITT." 66 To Mr. Stephens, (his relation at Salisbury.) Sir, "If you think vanity is the dictator of the following lines, you will not do me justice. No, sir, it is only the desire of proving myself worthy your correspondence, has induced me to write. My partial friends flatter me with giving me a little uncommon share of abilities. It is Mr. Stephens alone, whose good sense disdains flattery, whom I appeal to. It is a maxim with me that compliments of friends is more dangerous than railing of enemies. You may enquire, if you please, for the Town and Country Magazine, wherein all signed D. B. and Asaphides, are mine. The pieces called Saxon, are originally and totally the product of my muse; though I should think it a greater merit to be able to translate Saxon. As the said magazine is by far the best of its kind, I shall have some pieces in it every month; and if I vary from my said signature, will give you notice thereof. Having some curious anecdotes of paintings and painters, I sent them to Mr. Walpole, author of the Anecdotes of Painting, Historic Doubts, and other pieces, well known in the learned world. His answer I make bold to send you. Hence I began a literary correspondence, which ended as most such do. I differed with him in the age of a MS. He insists on his superior talents, which is no proof of that superiority. We possibly may publicly engage in one of the periodical publications; though I know not who will give the onset. Of my proceedings in this affair, I shall make bold to acquaint you. My next correspondent of note is Dodsley, whose collection of modern and antique poems are in every library. In this city my principal acquaintance are Mr. Barrett, now writing, at a vast expence, an ancient and modern History of Bristol; a task more difficult than the cleansing the Augean stable. Many have attempted, but none succeeded in it; yet will this work, when finished, please not only my fellow citizens, but all the world. Mr. Catcott, author of that excellent treatise on the Deluge, and other pieces, to enumerate which would argue a supposition that you were not acquainted with the literary world. To the studies of these gentlemen I am always admitted; and they are not below asking my advice in any matters of antiquity. I have made a very curious collection of coins and antiques. As I cannot afford to have a gordlabine to keep them in, I commonly give them to those who can. If you pick up any Roman, Saxon, English coins, or other antiques, even a sight of them would highly oblige me. When you quarter your arms in the mullet, say, Or, a Fess, Vert by the name of Chatterton. I trace your family from Fitz Stephen, son of Stephen, earl of Ammerle, in 1095, son of Od, earl of Bloys, and lord of Holderness. "I am, your very humble Servant, To his friend Baker, in Charles Town, South Carolina. "Dear Friend, "I must now close my poetical labours, my master being returned from London. You write in a very entertaining style; though I am afraid mine will Your celebrated Miss Rumsey is be the contrary. going to be married to Mr. Fowler, as he himself informs me. Pretty children! about to enter into the comfortable yoke of matrimony, to be at their own liberty just apropos to the old law-but out of the frying pan into the fire! For a lover, heavens mend him: but for a husband! O excellent! what a female Machiaval this Miss Rumsey is! a very good mistress of nature to discover a demon in the habit of a parson; to find a spirit so well adapted to the humour of an English wife, that is, one who takes off his hat to every person he chances to meet, to shew his staring horns, and very politely stands at the door of his wife's chamber, whilst her gallant is entertaining her within. 0 mirabili! what will human nature degenerate into. Fowler aforesaid declares he makes a scruple of conscience of being too free with Miss Rumsey before marriage. There's a gallant for you! why a girl with any thing of the woman would despise him for it. But no more of him. I am glad you approve of the ladies in Charles Town; and am obliged to you for the compliment of including me in your happiness; my friendship is as firm as the white rock when the black waves roar around it, and the waters burst on its hoary top, when the driving wind ploughs the sable sea, and the rising waves aspire to the clouds, turning with the rattling hail. So much for heroics. To speak in plain English; I am, and ever will be, your unalterable friend. I did not give your love to Miss Rum |