Volume II Part 9 (1/2)

[Footnote 3: Richard Brothers (1757-1824) believed that, in 1795, he was to be revealed as Prince of the Hebrews and ruler of the world. In that year he was arrested, and confined first as a criminal lunatic, afterwards in a private asylum, where he remained till 1806. A portrait of ”Richard Brothers, Prince of the Hebrews,” was engraved, April, 1795, by William Sharp, with the following inscription:

”Fully believing this to be the Man whom G.o.d has appointed, I engrave this likeness. William Sharp.”]

[Footnote 4: See 'Breslaw's Last Legacy; or, the Magical Companion'.

Including the various exhibitions of those wonderful Artists, Breslaw, Sieur Comus, Jonas, etc. (1784).]

[Footnote 5: 'Candide, ou l'Optimisms' (chapitre x.x.x.):

”et Pangloss disait quelquefois a Candide; Tous les evenements sont enchaines dans le meilleur des mondes possibles,” etc.

Hodgson replies (September 18, 1811):

”Your last letter has unfeignedly grieved me. Believing, as I do from my heart, that you would be better and happier by thoroughly examining the evidences for Christianity, how can I hear you say you will not read any book on the subject, without being pained? But G.o.d bless you under all circ.u.mstances. I will say no more. Only do not talk of 'shocking my prejudices,' or of 'rus.h.i.+ng to see me 'before' I am a Deacon.' I wish to see you at all times; and as to our different opinions, we can easily keep them to ourselves.”

The next day he writes again:

”Let me make one other effort. You mentioned an opinion of Hume's about miracles. For G.o.d's sake,--hear me, Byron, for G.o.d's sake--examine Paley's answer to that opinion; examine the whole of Paley's 'Evidences'. The two volumes may be read carefully in less than a week. Let me for the last time by our friends.h.i.+p, implore you to read them.”]

185.--To John Murray. [1]

Newstead Abbey, Notts., Sept. 14, 1811.

Sir,--Since your former letter, Mr. Dallas informs me that the MS. has been submitted to the perusal of Mr. Gifford, most contrary to my wishes, as Mr. D. could have explained, and as my own letter to you did, in fact, explain, with my motives for objecting to such a proceeding.

Some late domestic events, of which you are probably aware, prevented my letter from being sent before; indeed, I hardly conceived you would have so hastily thrust my productions into the hands of a Stranger, who could be as little pleased by receiving them, as their author is at their being offered, in such a manner, and to such a Man.

My address, when I leave Newstead, will be to ”Rochdale, Lancas.h.i.+re;”

but I have not yet fixed the day of departure, and I will apprise you when ready to set off.