reeable tale, insensibly leads them
into the infernal snare. You perceive all the horror of this accusation,
and will easily understand that I shall oppose only a respectful silence
to the clamors of my enemies?

And the Translation? Will you soon cause me to be read and burnt in the
rest of Europe? After a short suspension, the reasons for which it is
useless to detail, I re-commenced sending the sheets as they issued from
the press. They went regularly by way of Gottingen, where M. Sprengel
has, doubtless, taken care to forward them to you; so that the whole of
the English original must have been long since in your hands. What use
have you made of it? Is the translation finished? When and where do you
intend it shall appear? I cannot help fearing accidents that may have
happened by the way, and still more apprehending your indolence or
forgetfulness; and the more so, as I have learned from several quarters
that you are engaged in the translation of some German work.
Notwithstanding my silence, you might have informed me of the state of
things; at all events you have not a moment to lose, for the Duke de
Choiseul, who is quite delighted with my work, has signified to Mr.
Walpole his intentions to have it translated as soon as possible. I
believe I have put a stop to this design by assuring him that your
translation was in the press at Leipsig; but we cannot long answer for
events, and it would be equally unpleasant to be anticipated by a _bel
esprit_ of Paris, or by a manoeuvre of an Amsterdam bookseller.

This is a pretty decent letter; I know, however, that you ought not to
give me credit for it, because it is all about myself. I have a thousand
other things to tell you, and as many questions to ask you. Depend on
another letter in a week. Fear nothing, I swear by holy friendship; and
my oath will not remain without effect.

Ever yours,

ED. GIBBON.

FOOTNOTES:

[U] Mr. Dale probably here alludes to Lord Bolingbroke's ejaculation as
he stood by the dying Pope; but his memory does not serve him with the
exact words.

* * * * *

RELICS OF MADISON.

Among the household effects of Mrs. Madison, sold in Washington lately,
were an original portrait of Washington by Stuart, and others of
Jefferson, Madison, and Mrs. M. by the same artist; one of John Adams,
by Col. Trumbull, and one of Monroe, by Vanderlyn, all originals,
painte