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which I could not relish till I had heard. As to 
pictures and statues, I shall tire you to death about 
them; and with Rome I am quite enchanted. 
Would I could live two or three years there! Iam 
sorry to say I must disappoint you about views in 
Switzerland: ’tis too cruel of you to require of me 
what I cannot do, because I wish never to decline 
anything which may give you pleasure; but I find 
myself quite unequal to sketch views myself, or to 
admire what other people draw, now I have seen so 
much of nature. 
Your reflections on Rousseau and Socrates are 
excellent, and perfectly just. I think, and so thought 
Dr. Johnson (who was certainly a good man, al- 
though he had his foibles), that a partial conceal- 
ment is less hurtful than open profligacy, or an un- 
necessary avowal of weaknesses and transient faults. 
We have delicious weather, although rather hot, 
with terrible tempests. A few days ago a steeple 
was knocked down; but no people are killed here, 
because they cross themselves at every flash. 
I am, dear Madam, &c. 
J. E. SMItTu. 
J EF. Smith to Mr. William Jones. 
Dear Sir, Genoa, July 7, 1787. 
Perhaps you may wonder at my not having 
sooner answered your last favour; perhaps too you 
may have done me the honour to be a little dis- 
pleased, or jealous if you please,—an honour I value 
