I am most peculiarly gratified by the contents of your last favor to me. I am convinced that your life must be the most useful work the world ever saw. As such, I hope you will live to write it and I to read it. If any letter of mine had a share in inducing you to go through it, I hope it will be excepted from the request I have made you, to burn my idle correspondence. In that letter I shall have a real pride, be it written in whatever style it may. I hope that you will incorporate your art of virtue in your life, that the world may read both works together. I have presumed to communicate to your friends your design as expressed in your letter, and those who know you as I do, are just as anxious as I am to see the account you are to give of yourself.

Among this number stands the Bp. of St. Asaph’s family, who good man is no more. He dined with me last winter, and in every thing announced a decline of mental and bodily faculties, though when I dined with and visited him afterwards, he a little rallied. But matters had gone too far for his friends ever to hope a return of his usual state. They say he died worth money, upwards of £40,000, which goes chiefly to the disposal of Mrs. Shipley. The Dean inclined to contest a codicil, which he wrote, but did not sign; but Dr. Price tells me, this will all be terminated by an amicable suit in chancery.

Your ordered only 10 of the senators Remembrancers, and I sent 12. My bill will be confined to this, and you will thank me by lodging the money with my brother John, whose receipt will be your discharge. I have the plates in my possession, having had them left in pawn for other small sums advanced to Mrs. Stewart, who is a very troublesome and abusive, and I fear not very creditable, woman.

We can have but one opinion about war or heresy. I think the King of Prussia’s works highly important to the world with respect to the first of these subjects; I mean his posthumous works, especially the first and fifth volumes.

The King of Sweden, unless he can bring his states now convened, into good humor, can only stir, in proportion as he is subsidized; and subsidies are not so common as they were, when European states were richer. Thus there are some evils which check themselves. The Turks fell off at the end of their campaign from the usual retreat of many of their troops at that period.

I shall soon return my thanks [to the] Rumsean society for their civility to me. Mr. Rumsey is an ingenious man, with his thoughts bent to one object, and I have little doubt of his accomplishing several considerable schemes, if he has health and support.

Being consulted about an Encyclopedia, I recommended the only compleat one much regarded here. It may be too expensive for your friend, who I since find is Mrs. Hewson; but I should presume may be disposed of, if not approved, without loss.

Your acquaintance here go on pretty much as usual.

As to home politics, the King before his illness became popular, from dislike to his sons; Mr. Pitt, from dislike to his opponenents, has regained popularity; and Mr. Fox has a sort of regard paid to him from dislike to Mr. Sheridan. This is not a promising state of things to us. Administration being now upon their guard, will take care never to let the regency slip out of their hands again. These late struggles have unhappily shewn however, how little any of these people are capable of grand political ideas or plans. They understand faction, and even that often but ill, but seem to know nothing of the new systems of general politics. I wish your country may set them proper examples. Believe me ever, my dearest sir, yours most affectionately, gratefully and respectfully.