Letters to His Son 1756-58 | Page 5

was, seemingly at least,
very frank and communicative; but still I own myself in the dark. In
those matters, as in most others, half knowledge (and mine is at most
that) is more apt to lead one into error, than to carry one to truth; and
our own vanity contributes to the seduction. Our conjectures pass upon
us for truths; we will know what we do not know, and often, what we
cannot know: so mortifying to our pride is the bare suspicion of

ignorance!
It has been reported here that the Empress of Russia is dying; this
would be a fortunate event indeed for the King of Prussia, and
necessarily produce the neutrality and inaction, at least, of that great
power; which would be a heavy weight taken out of the opposite scale
to the King of Prussia. The 'Augustissima' must, in that case, do all
herself; for though France will, no doubt, promise largely, it will, I
believe, perform but scantily; as it desires no better than that the
different powers of Germany should tear one another to pieces.
I hope you frequent all the courts: a man should make his face familiar
there. Long habit produces favor insensibly; and acquaintance often
does more than friendship, in that climate where 'les beaux sentimens'
are not the natural growth.
Adieu! I am going to the ball, to save my eyes from reading, and my
mind from thinking.

LETTERS TO HIS SON
LETTER CCV
BATH, January 12, 1757
MY DEAR FRIEND: I waited quietly, to see when either your leisure,
or your inclinations, would al low you to honor me with a letter; and at
last I received one this morning, very near a fortnight after you went
from hence. You will say, that you had no news to write me; and that
probably may be true; but, without news, one has always something to
say to those with whom one desires to have anything to do.
Your observation is very just with regard to the King of Prussia, whom
the most august House of Austria would most unquestionably have
poisoned a century or two ago. But now that 'terras Astraea reliquit',
kings and princes die of natural deaths; even war is pusillanimously
carried on in this degenerate age; quarter is given; towns are taken, and
the people spared: even in a storm, a woman can hardly hope for the
benefit of a rape. Whereas (such was the humanity of former days)
prisoners were killed by thousands in cold blood, and the generous
victors spared neither man, woman, nor child. Heroic actions of this
kind were performed at the taking of Magdebourg. The King of Prussia
is certainly now in a situation that must soon decide his fate, and make
him Caesar or nothing. Notwithstanding the march of the Russians, his

great danger, in my mind, lies westward. I have no great notions of
Apraxin's abilities, and I believe many a Prussian colonel would
out-general him. But Brown, Piccolomini, Lucchese, and many other
veteran officers in the Austrian troops, are respectable enemies.
Mr. Pitt seems to me to have almost as many enemies to encounter as
his Prussian Majesty. The late Ministry, and the Duke's party, will, I
presume, unite against him and his Tory friends; and then quarrel
among themselves again. His best, if not his only chance of supporting
himself would be, if he had credit enough in the city, to hinder the
advancing of the money to any administration but his own; and I have
met with some people here who think that he has.
I have put off my journey from hence for a week, but no longer. I find I
still gain some strength and some flesh here, and therefore I will not cut
while the run is for me.
By a letter which I received this morning from Lady Allen, I observe
that you are extremely well with her; and it is well for you to be so, for
she is an excellent and warm puff.
'A propos' (an expression which is commonly used to introduce
whatever is unrelative to it) you should apply to some of Lord
Holderness's people, for the perusal of Mr. Cope's letters. It would not
be refused you; and the sooner you have them the better. I do not mean
them as models for your manner of writing, but as outlines of the
matter you are to write upon.
If you have not read Hume's "Essays" read them; they are four very
small volumes; I have just finished, and am extremely pleased with
them. He thinks impartially, deep, often new; and, in my mind,
commonly just. Adieu.

LETTER CCVI
BLACKHEATH, September 17, 1757
MY DEAR FRIEND: Lord Holderness has been so kind as to
communicate to me all the