From Sir GILBERT ELIOTT to Dr. WATTS.

LETTER I.

REVEREND SIR,

London, Jan. 21st, 1726.

My wife was favoured with your's of the 14th inftant. I return a thousand thanks for the obliging expreffions of your concern for us, and particularly for your christian sympathy, in comforting my wife upon the melancholy occafion of my terrible misfortune and greatest unhappiness. I took the first opportunity I could to kifs your hands, gratitude and inclination equally engaging me to it. I propofe to wait upon you when you come to town. In the mean time, give me leave to put you in mind of the request I made you fome time fince, about a catechism of natural religion, which is a fubject untouched, and would be, I am perfuaded, of fingular ufe. I must tell you what brought this to my memory: I was reading the other day in the fourth volume of Monfieur Saurin's Sermons, Sur les travers de l'efprit Humain, page 338; these are his words: Combien peu y ena-t-il qui aient l'art & même temps l'intention de proportionner la foi des enfans à leur áge n'exigeant qu'ils ne croisent à

l'âge

Page de dix ans que ce qu'ils peuvent concevoir àcet âgé-là & qu'ils ne croient à l'age de quinze ce qu'ils peuvent concevoir à l'âge de quinze, & ainfi du refté? Combien peu de Catechifmes, où cette gradation d'années & de capacité foit obfervée, & où l'on ne propofe d'abord les vérités les plus abftrufes du Chriftianifme? I hope this was a happy providence, directing me to address you, as the gentleman in the world, that I believe, without flattery, to be the moft capable of fo neceffary and useful a work. I hope for a favourable answer, and fhould be glad to know when you come to town.

My moft humble fervice attends my lady Abney, Mrs. Gunstone and the young ladies. I am, with most fincere efteem, reverend Sir, your most affectionate humble fervant,

GILB. ELIOTT.

LETTER II.

REVEREND SIR,

Epfom, March 4, 1727-8.

I

HAVE your favour of the ift inftant, to which I had made an immediate return, but business prevented. Mr. Mayo has written to me, which I told

you I could not accept, as a reparation for the injury; but such a letter, so void of manners, so full of jefuitical evafions, I should have believed it dated from the Sorbonne, if it had been polite enough. Since he will not make the acknowledgment before the company where he uttered the flander, there is no more to be faid; forgive me, dear Sir, to appeal to you, for the healing propofal I made in juftification of my conduct, if neceffity require it. A miffive apology, is properly an expedient or palliative cure, in no manner equal to the prefent cafe; and, I do affure you, I demand nothing of him but what confcience and honour would both oblige me to, was I in his fituation: I cannot but give you one paffage in the words of his letter: "I freely afk your pardon, which I think, by the law of Chrift, I have as much reafon to expect to receive as give, where it is needful for me, or where I am obliged to ask it.” I must observe, to take the co-herence and structure of his letter, it is afking pardon for nothing, a mere evafion. But, if I understand the law of our bleffed Lord, no man can expect pardon for injury to his neighbour, if he be capable to make full reftitution in a proper manner, and refuse to do it. I am fure I have great reason to ask pardon of you, for the trouble and interruption I have given on this melancholy occafion, and to

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return you a thousand thanks for all your civilities and favours.

My most respectful fervices ever attend my Lady Abney, the young ladies, and Mrs. Gunstone. I am, reverend and dear Sir, your most affectionate humble fervant,

humbleness and goodness, and fubfcribe to your prudent advice, and the rather, because as I promifed you, I am willing you fhould judge what is fit for me to do in the troublesome affair; as a kind friend to both parties you are engaged with.

I have herewith fent you a copy of a letter I have by this poft fent to Sir G. E. in which I have endeavoured to fupprefs fuch thoughts as will arife, when I think of the ftrange temper and carriage of fome perfons in this whole affair ; but, perhaps, you may think a word or two might yet have been fpared. Whether I fhould have omitted any words I will not be pofitive, but the things intended thereby I am fure fhould be thought on by him, and they will be thought on with a becoming temper if he be what I gladly hope he is. I am, Sir, your most obliged friend and humble fervant,

DANIEL MAYO.

P. S. I defign to wait on you in Lime-street on Saturday at about five o'clock,

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