Letters to His Son 1759-65 | Page 8

out, of the "Reign of Mary Queen of Scots" and
her son (no matter by whom) King James, written by one Robertson, a
Scotchman, which for clearness, purity, and dignity of style, I will not
scruple to compare with the best historians extant, not excepting Davila,
Guicciardini, and perhaps Livy. Its success has consequently been great,
and a second edition is already published and bought up. I take it for
granted, that it is to be had, or at least borrowed, at Hamburg, or I
would send it to you.
I hope you drink the Pyrmont waters every morning. The health of the
mind depends so much upon the health of the body, that the latter
deserves the utmost attention, independently of the senses. God send
you a very great share of both! Adieu.

LETTER CCXLIII
LONDON, April 27, 1759
MY DEAR FRIEND: I have received your two letters of the 10th and
13th, by the last mail; and I will begin my answer to them, by
observing to you that a wise man, without being a Stoic, considers, in
all misfortunes that befall him, their best as well as their worst side; and
everything has a better and a worse side. I have strictly observed that
rule for many years, and have found by experience that some comfort is
to be extracted, under most moral ills, by considering them in every

light, instead of dwelling, as people are too apt to do, upon the gloomy
side of the object. Thank God, the disappointment that you so
pathetically groan under, is not a calamity which admits of no
consolation. Let us simplify it, and see what it amounts to. You are
pleased with the expectation of coming here next month, to see those
who would have been pleased with seeing you. That, from very natural
causes, cannot be, and you must pass this summer at Hamburg, and
next winter in England, instead of passing this summer in England, and
next winter at Hamburg. Now, estimating things fairly, is not the
change rather to your advantage? Is not the summer more eligible, both
for health and pleasure, than the winter, in that northern frozen zone?
And will not the winter in England supply you with more pleasures
than the summer, in an empty capital, could have done? So far then it
appears, that you are rather a gainer by your misfortune.
The TOUR too, which you propose making to Lubeck, Altena, etc.,
will both amuse and inform you; for, at your age, one cannot see too
many different places and people; since at the age you are now of, I
take it for granted that you will not see them superficially, as you did
when you first went abroad.
This whole matter then, summed up, amounts to no more than this--that
you will be here next winter, instead of this summer. Do not think that
all I have said is the consolation only of an old philosophical fellow,
almost insensible of pleasure or pain, offered to a young fellow who
has quick sensations of both. No, it is the rational philosophy taught me
by experience and knowledge of the world, and which I have practiced
above thirty years.
I always made the best of the best, and never made bad worse by
fretting; this enabled me to go through the various scenes of life in
which I have been an actor, with more pleasure and less pain than most
people. You will say, perhaps, one cannot change one's nature; and that
if a person is born of a very sensible, gloomy temper, and apt to see
things in the worst light, they cannot help it, nor new-make themselves.
I will admit it, to a certain degree; and but to a certain degree; for
though we cannot totally change our nature, we may in a great measure
correct it, by reflection and philosophy; and some philosophy is a very
necessary companion in this world, where, even to the most fortunate,
the chances are greatly against happiness.

I am not old enough, nor tenacious enough, to pretend not to
understand the main purport of your last letter; and to show you that I
do, you may draw upon me for two hundred pounds, which, I hope,
will more than clear you.
Good-night: 'aquam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem': Be
neither transported nor depressed by the accidents of life.

LETTER CCXLIV
BLACKHEATH, May 16, 1759
MY DEAR FRIEND: Your secretary's last letter of the 4th, which I
received yesterday, has quieted my fears a good deal, but has not
entirely dissipated them. YOUR FEVER STILL CONTINUES, he says,
THOUGH IN A LESS DEGREE. Is it a continued fever, or an
intermitting one? If the former, no wonder that you are weak, and that