214 VOLNEY. 



that this is any proof of the talent necessary 

 for composing, in heroic metre, a fine his- 

 torical subject like the one you name." 



Finding he could not succeed with me, 

 he addressed the lady facing me, and 

 endeavoured to enlist her influence for 

 the purpose he required. 



After some varied and general con- 

 versation, in which I spoke of the imprac- 

 ticability of two persons writing together 

 one poem, it was agreed, before we 

 parted, that he should write one, and I 

 attempt another ; and that he should have 

 his choice of the two or send both in 

 if he pleased. 



During the time of my daily sojourn 

 at Redbourn, I remember to have had 

 placed in my hands the works of M. 

 Volney, the only infidel writer of his 

 nation, or, indeed, any other, who invites 

 the reader, by the ease and elegance of 

 his style, the apparent soundness of his 

 logic, the novel and pleasing form of his 



