LETTERS. 3! 7 



ness, and of clouds^ lihe the morning spread upon the 

 mountains," which is a contradiction. Looking at the 

 Septuagint, we find that the passage is raispointed, and 

 that the latter metaphor is applied to the people : " A 

 people great and strong, like the morning spread upon 

 the mountains." The Septuagint is very easy Greek, 

 quite a<3 much so as the Greek Testament ; and a little 

 practice of this kind will help you in your knowledge ot 

 the language, and make you a good critic. I perceive 

 your English style is very unpolished, and I think this 

 a matter oi great moment. I should recommend you to 

 read, and imitate as nearly as you can, the serious papers 

 in the eighth volume of the Spectator, particularly those 

 on the Ubiquity of the Deity. Accustom yourself to 

 write down your thoughts, and to polish the style some 

 time after composition, when you have forgotten the ex- 

 pression. Aim at conciseness, neatness, and clearness ; 

 never make use of Jlne or vulgar words. Avoid every 

 epithet which does not add greatly to the idea, for every 

 addition of this kind, if it do not strengthen, weakens 

 the sentiment ; and be cautious never to express by two 

 words what you can do as well by one : a multiplicity of 

 words only hides the sense, just as a superabundance of 

 clothes does the shape; Thus much for studies. 

 * * * * 



I recommend you to pause and consider much and well 

 on the subject of matrimony. You have heard my sen- 

 timents with regard to a rich wife ; but I am much too 

 young, and too great an enthusiast, to be even a toler- 

 able counsellor on a point like this. You must think for 

 yourself, and consult with prudent and pious people, 

 whose years have taught them the wisdom of the present 

 world, and whose experience has instructed them in that 

 of the world to come. But a little sober thought is 

 worth a world of advice. You have, however, an in- 

 fallible adviser, and to his directions you may safely 

 look. To him I commend all your ways. 



I have one observation to make, which I hope you will 

 forgive in me ; it is, that you fall in love too readily. 

 I have no notion of a man's having a certain species of 



