281 
Dr. Younge to J. E. Smith, Chelsea. 
My dear Doctor, Liverpool, Nov. 7, 1787. 
Your good fortune in meeting with the most 
intelligent men in the different towns of France 
through which you passed, I rejoice at. I did not 
see any gentleman at Nancy, nor the greenhouse 
which you mention, though I spent nearly a whole 
morning in visiting the different parts of that charm- 
ing town. Iam glad to be particularly informed 
respecting an inscription, which I remember only 
as related by my father, and, as it was always my 
idea, applied by an English gentleman, then ona 
tour in France, to Louis XIV., on an inscription 
being publicly requested for his statue. 
This supposed statue I never saw, and therefore 
suspect the inscription might be originally intended 
for the place where you saw it. It is thus: 
“Inter vitales herbas, succosque salubres, 
Quam bené stat populi vita salusque sui.” 
The wit of this couplet consists, it may be truly 
said, in a verbal pun; but there is a smartness and 
elegance in the conceit, which after ten years ac- 
quaintance with I still continue to admire. I am 
happy to beable to furnish you with what may be 
a correct copy of this couplet. 
Your affectionate friend, 
W. YOUNGE. 
