353 
turn towards the left, towards Cromford, you will 
find a cold room, where the water that runs over it 
to the cotton-mill issues through the wall. It was 
there I saw the flies that alighted upon the sides 
so congealed with cold they could not get away, 
and afterwards petrified with it. I think I gave 
you one that I brought away with me. 
Sir Richard Arkwright was clearing the ground 
for his house when I was there. 
Dr. Johnson wanted very much to see Matlock 
by moonlight; you must have had that pleasure. 
I have been reading his Letters, published by Mrs. 
Piozzi. They are full of beautiful passages, and 
some of hers cut a very good figure. 
I have not read the book you sent, and shall hear 
the opinion of others before I resolve to bestow 
my time upon it, in preference to many, many 
other works which I wish to read, but which I 
certainly shall not have time to read in this world ; 
unless, upon the Pythagorean system of the me- 
tempsychosis, I should reappear in some other 
body; and then I may be thrown into a different 
country, where there may not be the reading I want, 
or no reading at all. 
I admire Jebb’s* works, and more the man; so 
* The following note, from Mr. Smith’s common-place book, 
illustrates his sentiments more at length on this subject :— 
“ The Works, theological, medical, political, and miscellancous, 
of Joun Jess, M.D. F.R.S.; with Memoirs of the Life of the 
Author, by John Disney, D.D. F.A.S., in three volumes 8vo, 
1787. The excellent author of these volumes was a pattern of 
integrity, patriotism, and zeal for the civil and religious liberties 
VOL. I. 2A 
