то Mr. PULTENEY. SIR, T HE greateft honour of human life, is to live well with men of merit; and I hope You will pardon me the va nity of publishing, by this means, my happiness in being able to name You among my friends. The converfation of a gentleman, that has a refined A 2 taste taste of letters, and a difpofition in which those letters found nothing to correct, but very much to exert, is a good fortune too uncommon to be enjoyed in filence: In others, the greatest business of learning is to weed the foil; in you, it had nothing else to do, but to bring forth fruit. Affability, complacency, and generosity of heart, which are natural to You, wanted nothing from literature, but to refine and direct the application of them. After I have boafted I had some share in your familiarity, I know not how to do You the juftice of celebrating You for the choice of an elegant, and worthy acquaintance, with whom You live in the happy communication of generous fentiments, which contribute, not only to your own mutual entertainment and improvement, but to the honour and fervice of your country. Zeal for the publick publick good is the characteristick of a man of honour, and a gentleman, and must take place of pleafures, profits, and all other private gratifications. Whoever wants this motive, is an open enemy, or an inglorious neuter to mankind, in proportion to the mifapplied advantages with which nature and fortune have blessed him. But You have a foul animated with nobler views, and know that the diftinction of wealth and plenteous circumstances, is a tax upon an honest mind, to endeavour, as much as the occurrences of life will give him leave, to guard the properties of others, and be vigilant for the good of his fellowfubjects. This generous inclination, no man poffeffes in a warmer degree than yourfelf; which, that heaven would reward with long poffeffion of that reputation into which You have made A 3 fo |
