374] 
have not yet yet read the two last 
chapters, but am sorry, from what 
I have heard of them, that he has 
taken such a tone in them as will 
give great offence, and hurt the 
sale ot the book. 
& 
Mr. Fergusin ta Mr. Gibbon. 
Edinburgh, March 19th, 1779. 
Dar Sir, 
I received, about eight days azo, 
after I had been reading your his- 
tory, the copy which you have 
been so good as to send me, and 
for which I now trouble yeu with 
my ip. But even if I had not 
been tRus‘called upon to offer you 
my respects, I could not have re- 
frained from congratulating you on 
the merit, and undoabted ‘success, 
of this valuable performance. The 
persons of this piace whose judg- 
ment you will value most, agree in 
opinion, that you have made a 
great addition to the classical lite. 
rature of England, and given us 
what Thucydides proposed leav- 
ing with his own countrymen, a 
possession in perpetuity. Men ofa 
certain modesty and merjt always 
exceed the expectations of their 
friends ; and it is with very great 
pleasure I tell you, that although 
you most have observed in me 
every mark of consideration and 
regard, that this is, nevertheless, 
the case, I receive your instruction, 
and study. your model, with great 
deference, and join with every one 
else, in applauding the extent of 
yqur plan, in hands so well able 
to execute it. Some of your read. 
ers, I find, were impatient to get 
at the fifteenth chapter, and began 
at that place. Ihave not heard 
mueh of their criticism, but am 
told that many doubt of your or- 
thodoxy. . I wish to be always of 
b 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796. 
the charitable side, while I own 
you have proved that the clearest 
stream may become foul when it 
comes to run over the muddy bot. 
tom of human nature, I have not 
stayed ta make any particular re- 
marks. If any should occur on 
the second reading, I shall not-fail 
tolay in my claim to a more need- 
ed, snd more useful admonition 
from you, in case I ever produce 
any thing that merits your atten. 
tion, And am, with the greatest 
respect, Dear Sir, Your most 
obliged, and most humble 
Servant, 
ApbAM Fercuson, 
Extra& of a Letter fram Mr. David 
Hume to Mr. Sirahan, dated Edin, 
burgh, April Sth, 1776. 
#***® [am very much taken with — 
Mr. Gibbon’s Roman history whic] 
came from your press, and am 
glad to hear of its success. There 
will no books of reputation now 
be printed in London but through 
your hands and Mr, Cadeli’s. The 
author tells me, that he is already 
preparing a second edition. I re, 
solved to have given him my ad- 
vice with regard to the manner of 
printing it; but as I am now writ. 
ing to you, it is the same thing, 
He ought certainly to print the 
number of the chapter at the head 
of the margin ; and it would be 
better if something of the contents 
could also be added. One is also 
plagued with his notes, accordin 
to the present method of printing 
the book : whena note is announce. 
ed, you turn to the end of the 
volume ; and there you often find 
nothing but a reference to an gu. 
thority. All these authorities ought 
only to be printed at the margin, 
or the bottom of the page. Ide- 
sire 
