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Faults in Songs

To Peter Franklin Dear Brother, I like your ballad, and think it well adapted for your purpose of discountenancing expensive foppery, and encouraging industry and frugality. If you can get it generally sung in your country, it may probably have a good deal of the effect you hope and expect from it. But as you…

Prejudice . . . Against Your Work

To John Baskerville Dear Sir, Craven-Street, London. Let me give you a pleasant Instance of the Prejudice some have entertained against your Work. Soon after I returned, discoursing with a Gentleman concerning the Artists of Birmingham, he said you would be a Means of blinding all the Readers in the Nation, for the Strokes of…

Color and Heat

To Mary Stevenson My dear Friend It is, as you observed in our late Conversation, a very general Opinion, that all Rivers run into the Sea, or deposite their Waters there. ‘Tis a kind of Audacity to call such general Opinions in question, and may subject one to Censure: But we must hazard something in…

The Best English

To David Hume Dear Sir, Coventry, Sept. 27. 1760 I have too long postpon’d answering your obliging Letter, a Fault I will not attempt to excuse, but rather rely on your Goodness to forgive it if I am more punctual for the future. I am oblig’d to you for the favourable Sentiments you express of…

Tides in rivers

To Mary Stevenson My dear Friend, London, Sept. 13. 1760 I have your agreable Letter from Bristol, which I take this first Leisure Hour to answer, having for some time been much engag’d in Business. Your first Question, What is the Reason the Water at this Place, tho’ cold at the Spring, becomes warm by…