Gellius, are to be ascribed to the translator alone. Yet I repeat, that it was ever my intention to ascribe to the real source the benefit which flowed from thence to me, nor do I recollect any important incident in which I have omitted being thus faithful. I have another matter to propose to your consideration, which also I shall leave you to determine. Shall I say that I am indebted for the preface to á learned friend, or will you allow me the honour at once of ascribing it to you by name. I hope that neither the work itself will disgrace such an introduction, and I am willing to flatter myself, that the circumstances of my situation and character, and the communication known to subsist betwixt us will warrant this. I beg you to decide in this, knowing you will decide wisely. I did not imagine that the Delphin edition would be of any use to you in writing the preface, but you will remember that you expressed a desire to have it. I hope to hear from you soon, and am, truly yours, W. BELOE. Rev. Benedict Chapman, to Dr. Parr. DEAR SIR, Caius College, June 1, 1803. Being in London when your letter arrived at Cambridge, I did not receive it till last Saturday evening. Since that time I have been fully employed by my journey hither, and the business of yesterday, so that it has not been in my power to write to you sooner. Be assured, my dear Sir, that the very sincere regard and the high esteem I have always entertained for you, will ever render me extremely desirous of deserving and obtaining your approbation. From an intimate knowledge of Davy for many years, I am thoroughly acquainted with his worth and merit; and in supporting him on the late occasion I had the satisfaction of gratifying my own personal feelings, as well as of discharging my duty to a society to which I feel and owe many obligations. The latter I look upon as of the most importance; and if, in my endeavour faithfully to discharge it, it had been necessary to have sacrificed the former, I trust I should not have forfeited your good opinion. It gave me great satisfaction that it was in my power conscientiously to fulfil both. For the kind interest you have taken in my brother's concerns, we all feel much indebted; his competitor being removed, I hope nothing will intervene to prevent his succeeding to the situation he is so very desirous of obtaining. I was much concerned to hear that you had been so unwell; it will give me great pleasure to learn that you are quite recovered. Our new Master is highly delighted with his situation, and desires me to give his best compliments to you, as do also the rest of our college party. With compliments to Mrs. and Miss Parr, I remain, dear Sir, your sincere and obliged humble servant, B. CHAPMAN, MY DEAR SIR, Norwich, Sept. 9, 1813. As I had left college when your letter arrived there, it was sent to me at Cromer, where I have been spending part of my vacation; I should have answered it immediately, but that you desired me to defer doing so till about this time. I cannot say that I am at present engaged as to the Botanical Professorship, for I have in general made it a rule not to promise my vote for any office, till it is positively vacant; but I have been so earnestly solicited by a person who intends being a candidate, and with whom I have been acquainted almost ever since I have been a member of the University, that, if no other graduate of Cambridge better qualified should come forward, it is my present intention to vote for him. I should be very happy to oblige you or Dr. Smith on this occasion, if I could do it consistently with my notions of justice; but those who have been educated among us appear to me to have such strong claims upon us for our academical honours and emoluments, that I must confess I feel surprised that Dr. Smith should have found sufficient encouragement to induce him to think of standing for the situation. I leave, however, every one to think for himself, reserving to myself the same privilege. I have not yet promised the friend I have mentioned, nor do I intend doing so till the professorship is vacant; and then I shall endeavour to give my vote in such a manner as will, at least in my judgment, best contribute to the honour and advantage of our University. My brother and sister, with their six little ones, are quite well, as are also my mother and sisters; they all desire me to present their best regards to you, and I remain, my dear Sir, yours most truly, BENEDICT CHAPMAN. MY DEAR SIR. Norwich, Jan. 23, 1818. I was glad to hear that Dr. Kaye's sermon has your approbation; it has been generally praised. As he has not been much used to English composition, I was previous to the delivery rather afraid for our credit; but the little man has raised himself in his chair two inches at least. Maltby was so good as to send me a copy of his sermon, and I was much pleased with it. Did you ever see the sermon he preached on the King's accession, which was kept as a jubilee? I will order Hall's sermon on my return to College. I had not heard of his having published one till I received your letter. I shall expect something very excellent from him, as he has a heart as well as a head; from your Unitarian neighbour I should expect much less, for, however profound his philosophy may be, I should expect to find that coldness in it which appears to me uniformly to distinguish that sect. A sermon on such an occasion must be addressed to the heart as well as the head to have its full effect. I remain, my dear Sir, yours most truly, B. CHAPMAN. Rev. C. J. Chapman to Dr. Parr. REV. SIR, Norwich, Aug. 14, 1786. As I have had the honour to be educated under your protection, and to have been distinguished by many instances of your kindness, I hope you will not think me too assuming, if, in gratitude for the many friendly offices and favourable instruc tions, which in my early youth I received from you, I now take up my pen to return you my sincere thanks. It looks rather, I confess, like ingratitude, that, where I have been so often obliged, I should not have written before, to testify the grateful sense I have for the many obligations which I owe you, and where (at least such were my expectations) my letter would have been well received. I assure you, it was not out of any disrespect, or unthankfulness, that I have not addressed you before, but an ignorance where to direct my letter. When I reflect, Rev. Sir, on the many fruits which I have received from your instructions, and the many virtues which you have imprinted on my mind, I pronounce myself happy, that it was my lot to fall under such a virtuous and learned master; before I was under your protection, I can compare myself as sailing in the wide extended ocean, without a pilot to direct me through the uncertain and difficult tide of learning; but on a sudden you auspiciously appeared, and under your guidance and assistance, I have arrived safe at the haven, laden with every kind of instruction which my abilities were capable of receiving, and with every kind of virtue, which, I hope, I have so rooted in the tablets of my heart, that no time or place will ever be able to extirpate. But why do I mention myself alone, who have received these advantages, when there are many others who have tasted of the same benefits, and who, I hope, cherish the same sense of gratitude as myself? The generosity, which you alway displayed toward us, the sincerity which you always shewed us, and that great attention which you exhibited in directing us in the paths of virtue, and turning us from those of vice, have in them something so uncommon, that even the most unconcerned and indifferent persons must be moved with them, but how must we be, who have experienced them? "Tis evident you can have exercised your superior abilities from no other motive but your regard for merit, from your entire love for learning and virtue, and from that sincere affection which you have always entertained for the general welfare of all mankind. 'Tis incident to an elevated understanding like yours, to find out the errors of other men; but 'tis your prerogative to pardon them, and to forgive the failings of those (among which number I place myself) who by their inferior abilities and wretched art cannot arrive at those heights of learning, which you have from a happy, abundant, and native genius. But as my words are too weak and deficient to express my gratitude, I must explain myself in the strong and sincere language of Persius, whose good sense you pointed out, when I had the honour to read him with you, in so striking a manner, that I have ever since retained it. "Cum primum custos pavido mihi purpura cessit, Et premitur ratione animus, vincique laborat I have kept three terms at Cambridge, where I have endeavoured to with labour and industry to cultivate the instructions which you taught me, and to improve and bring to perfection the virtues, which you deeply imprinted in my mind. The noble and generous sentiments which I imbibed from you have taught me to shun the company, and to look down with contempt and scorn on those," quos," as Tully says, " pexo capillo nitidos, aut imberbes, aut bene barbatos videtis; quorum omnis industria vitæ et vigilandi labor in antelucanis cœnis expromitur," and to love and esteem those whose minds are enlightened by learning, and whose morals are adorned with virtues; among whom, I think, I may with propriety and justice reckon my friend Sutliffe. But, I fear, I have presumed too much upon your goodness, in troubling you with such a dull and long letter; and after having been so bold in thus addressing you, I ought to think myself very fortunate if you are pleased to pardon this freedom. That you may live long and happy, for the good of virtue and religion, and the encouragement of learning, is the sincere and earnest prayer of your most obliged, and faithful servant, CHARLES JOHN CHAPMAN. DEAR SIR, Norwich, Oct. 15, 1805. It is with the greatest pleasure, that I send you an account of our proceedings at our anniversary dinner, last Thursday. Trafford, after regretting that the thought had not occurred to him sooner, expressed in the most handsome and animated |