Atat. 57. 1766. places now very rigorously enforced, is defended by arguments, which have for their foundation the care of fouls. To obscure, upon motives merely political, the light of revelation, is a practice referved for the reformed; and, furely, the blackest midnight of popery is meridian funshine to fuch a reformation. I am not very willing that any language fhould be totally extinguished. The fimilitude and derivation of languages afford the most indubitable proof of the traduction of nations, and the genealogy of mankind. They add often phyfical certainty to historical evidence; and often fupply the only evidence of ancient migrations, and of the revolutions of ages which left no written monuments behind them. "Every man's opinions, at least his defires, are a little influenced by his favourite ftudies. My zeal for languages may feem, perhaps, rather over-heated, even to thofe by whom I defire to be well-esteemed. To thofe who have nothing in their thoughts but trade or policy, prefent power, or prefent money, I fhould not think it neceffary to defend my opinions; but with men of letters I would not unwillingly compound, by wishing the continuance of every language, however narrow in its extent, or however incommodious for common purposes, till it is repofited in fome verfion of a known book, that it may be always hereafter examined and compared with other languages, and then permitting its difufe. For this purpose, the tranflation of the bible is moft to be defired. It is not certain that the fame method will not preferve the Highland language, for the purposes of learning, and and abolish it from daily ufe. When the Highlanders read the Bible, they will naturally wish to have its obfcurities cleared, and to know the hif tory, collateral or appendant. Knowledge always defires increase: it is like fire, which must first be kindled by fome external agent, but which will afterwards propagate itself. When they once defire to learn, they will naturally have recourfe to the nearest language by which that defire can be gratified; and one will tell another that if he would attain knowledge, he must learn English. "This fpeculation may, perhaps, be thought more fubtle than the groffness of real life will eafily admit. Let it, however, be remembered, that the efficacy of ignorance has been long tried, and has not produced the confequence expected. Let knowledge, therefore, takes its turn; and let the patrons of privation ftand awhile afide, and admit the operation of pofitive principles. You will be pleased, Sir, to affure the worthy man who is employed in the new tranflation, that he has my wishes for his fuccefs; and if here or at Oxford I can be of any ufe, that I fhall think it more than honour to promote his undertaking. "I am forry that I delayed fo long to write. "I am, Sir, "Your most humble fervant, "Johnfon's-court, Fleet-ftreet, Aug. 13, 1766. SAM. JOHNSON." The opponents of this pious fcheme being made afhamed of their conduct, the benevolent undertaking was allowed to go on. 1766. tat. 57. The 1766. Mat. 57. The following letters, though not written till the year after, being chiefly upon the fame fubject, are here inferted. To Mr. WILLIAM DRUMMOND. "DEAR. SIR, "THAT my letter fhould have had fuch effects as you mention, gives me great pleasure. I hope you do not flatter me by imputing to me more good than I have really done. Those whom my arguments have persuaded to change their opinion, fhow fuch modefty and candour as deferve great praife. "I hope the worthy tranflator goes diligently forward. He has a higher reward in profpect, than any honours which this world can beftow. I wish I could be useful to him. "The publication of my letter, if it could be of use in a caufe to which all other caufes are nothing, I fhould not prohibit. But first, I would have you confider whether the publication will really do any good; next, whether by printing and diftributing a very fmall number, you may not attain all that you propofe; and, what perhaps I fhould have faid first, whether the letter, which I do not now perfectly remember, be fit to be printed. "If you can confult Dr. Robertson, to whom I am a little known, I fhall be fatisfied about the propriety of whatever he shall direct. If he thinks that it fhould be printed, I entreat him to revise it; there may, perhaps, be fome negligent lines written, written, and whatever is amifs, he knows very well how to rectify 3. "Be pleased to let me know, from time to time, how this excellent defign goes forward. "Make my compliments to young Mr. Drummond, whom I hope you will live to fee fuch as you defire him. "I have not lately feen Mr. Elphinston, but believe him to be profperous. I fhall be glad to hear the fame of you, for I am, Sir, "Your affectionate humble fervant, "Johnfon's-court, Fleet-ftreet, April 21, 1767. "SIR, To the fame. SAM. JOHNSON." "I RETURNED this week from the country, after an abfence of near fix months, and found your letter, with many others, which I fhould have anfwered fooner, if I had fooner feen them. "Dr. Robertfon's opinion was furely right. Men fhould not be told of the faults which they have mended. I am glad the old language is taught, and honour the tranflator as a man whom GOD has diftinguished by the high office of propagating his word. "I must take the liberty of engaging you in an office of charity. Mrs. Heely, the wife of Mr. 3 This paragraph fhews Johnfon's real eftimation of the character and abilities of the celebrated Scottish Historian, however lightly, in a moment of caprice, he may have spoken of his works. Heely, 1766. Etat. 57. Etat. 57. 1766. Heely, who had lately fome office in your theatre, is my near relation, and now in great diftrefs. They wrote me word of their fituation fome time ago, to which I returned them an anfwer which raifed hopes of more than it is proper for me to give them. Their reprefentation of their affairs I have discovered to be fuch as cannot be trusted; and at this distance, though their cafe requires hafte, I know not how to act. She, or her daughters, may be heard of at Canongate Head. I must beg, Sir, that you will enquire after them, and let me know what is to be done. I am willing to go to ten pounds, and will transmit you fuch a fum, if upon examination you find it likely to be of ufe. If they are in immediate want, advance them what you think proper. What I could do, I would do for the women, having no great reason to pay much regard to Heely himself 4. "I believe you may receive fome intelligence from Mrs. Baker, of the theatre, whofe letter I received at the fame time with yours; and to whom, if you see her, you will make my excuse for the feeming neglect of anfwering her. "Whatever you advance within ten pounds. shall be immediately returned to you, or paid as you fhall order. I truft wholly to your judgement. "I am, Sir, &c. "London, Johnson's-court, Fleet ftreet, Oct. 24, 1767. SAM. JOHNSON." + This is the perfon concerning whom Sir John Hawkins has thrown out very unwarrantable reflections both against Dr. John. fon and Mr. Francis Barber. Mr. |