WILLIAM SMELLIE. 25 



Dresent know not, is almost constantly impious. 

 I think an essay on this subject would be an 

 excellent lunarian * number. 



" I could urge many other motives for the 

 alteration about to take place in my way of life. 

 I could even shew, by mathematical demonstra- 

 tion, that to act otherwise would be highly 

 criminal ; nay, even a refractory species of rebel- 

 lion against the great God of nature ; but this I 

 decline, as my letter is already too voluminous. 

 Thus have I, without reserve, opened my mind 

 to one whom I may call my friend. I need not 

 add, that it would be highly improper that this 

 letter should be shewn ; for not a single compa- 

 nion but yourself knows any thing of the matter. 

 If you write me not very fully by first post, I 

 shall, as the saying is, be very much out with 

 you. 



" If you are to stay in Edinburgh this summer, 

 and if I have a house of my own, as the folks 

 say, it would add greatly to my happiness if you 

 would make one in our little society. Every 

 thing shall be made as agreeable to you as pos- 

 sible, and we shall frequently crack about the 

 Man of the Moon, &c. So keen am I about the 

 lunarian scheme, that I believe, though you 

 should entirely desert me, as Heaven avert, I 

 shall one time or other attempt the execution of 

 it alone. Yours, c. 



" WILLIAM SMELLIE." 



* Lunarian, an allusion to an intended publication to be 

 entitled The Man of the Moon. 



