incipal object, so
it was the first care of my English journey. The previous arrangements
with the bookseller and the printer were settled in my passage through
London, and the proofs, which I returned more correct, were transmitted
every post from the press to Sheffield-Place. The length of the
operation, and the leisure of the country, allowed some time to review
my manuscript. Several rare and useful books, the Assises de Jerusalem,
Ramusius de Bello Constantinopolitano, the Greek Acts of the Synod of
Florence, the Statuta Urbis Romae, &c. were procured, and introduced in
their proper places the supplements which they afforded. The impression
of the fourth volume had consumed three months. Our common interest
required that we should move with a quicker pace; and Mr. Strahan
fulfilled his engagement, which few printers could sustain, of
delivering every week three thousand copies of nine sheets. The day
of publication was, however, delayed, that it might coincide with the
fifty-first anniversary of my own birthday; the double festival was
celebrated by a cheerful literary dinner at Mr. Cadell's house; and I
seemed to blush while they read an elegant compliment from Mr. Hayley,
whose poetical talents had more than once been employed in the praise
of his friend. Before Mr. Hayley inscribed with my name his epistles on
history, I was not acquainted with that amiable man and elegant poet. He
afterwards thanked me in verse for my second and third volumes; and
in the summer of 1781, the Roman Eagle, (a proud title) accepted the
invitation of the English Sparrow, who chirped in the groves of Eartham,
near Chichester. As most of the former purchasers were naturally
desirous of completing their sets, the sale of the quarto edition was
quick and easy; and an octavo size was printed, to satisfy at a cheaper
rate the public demand. The conclusion of my work was generally read,
and variously judged. The style has been exposed to much academical
criticism; a religious clamour was revived, and the reproach of
indecency has been loudly echoed by the rigid censors of morals. I never
could understand the clamour that has been raised against the indecency
of my three last volumes. 1. An equal degree of freedom in the former
part, especially in the first volume, had passed without reproach. 2. I
am justified in painting the manners of the times; the vices of Theodora
form an essential feature in the reign and character of Justinian. 3.
My