free discussion of the sense of the master and the
pedantry of the servant.

After his oracle Dr. Johnson, my friend Sir Joshua Reynolds denies
all original genius, any natural propensity of the mind to one art
or science rather than another. Without engaging in a metaphysical or
rather verbal dispute, I know, by experience, that from my early youth I
aspired to the character of an historian. While I served in the militia,
before and after the publication of my essay, this idea ripened in my
mind; nor can I paint in more lively colours the feelings of the moment,
than by transcribing some passages, under their respective dates, from a
journal which I kept at that time. Beriton, April 14, 1761. (In a short
excursion from Dover.)--"Having thought of several subjects for an
historical composition, I chose the expedition of Charles VIII. of
France into Italy. I read two memoirs of Mr. de Foncemagne in the
Academy of Inscriptions (tom. xvii. p. 539-607.), and abstracted them. I
likewise finished this day a dissertation, in which I examine the right
of Charles VIII. to the crown of Naples, and the rival claims of the
House of Anjou and Arragon: it consists of ten folio pages, besides
large notes."

Beriton, August 4, 1761. (In a week's excursion from Winchester
camp.)--"After having long revolved subjects for my intended historical
essay, I renounced my first thought of the expedition of Charles VIII.
as too remote from us, and rather an introduction to great events, than
great and important in itself. I successively chose and rejected the
crusade of Richard the First, the barons' wars against John and Henry
the Third, the History of Edward the Black Prince, the lives and
comparisons of Henry V. and the Emperor Titus, the life of Sir Philip
Sidney, and that of the Marquis of Montrose. At length I have fixed
on Sir Walter Raleigh for my hero. His eventful story is varied by the
characters of the soldier and sailor, the courtier and historian; and it
may afford such a fund of materials as I desire, which have not yet been
properly manufactured. At present I cannot attempt the execution of this
work. Free leisure, and the opportunity of consulting many books, both
printed and manuscript, are as necessary as they are impossible to
be attained in my present way of life. However, to acquire a general
insight into my subject and resources, I read the life of Sir Walter
Raleigh by Dr. Birch, his copious article in the General Dictio