With regard to any labours in English history, the plan which I not long ago communicated to you of sketching it in a Book of the State down to the accession of the reigning family & following that by the Age of George 3^d.

is all that I dream of accomplishing. The works on which I ought to employ myself, Grosvenor, are those for which I have laid in stores, on which a large portion of my previous studies may be brought to bear, & for which no other person is at present, or is likely to be hereafter, so well qualified, – because the materials, the disposition & the ability are little likely to meet. Such a work was the Hist. of Brazil,

& such will be, if I live to accomplish it, that of the Monastic Orders.

The Peninsular War

is going on well. The 21^st sheet is now on the table.

I cannot but smile at your grave admonitions concerning the D^r

& would give something to have the satisfaction of reading to you the Chapters which were written last week. Such a variety of ingredients I think never before entered into any book which had a thread of continuity running thro it. I promise you there is as much sense as nonsense there xxx, – it is very much <like> a Trifle where you have whipt cream at the top, sweatmeats below, – & a good solid foundation of ratifia cake well steepd in ratifia.

You will find a liberal expenditure of long hoarded stores, – such as the reading of few men could supply; – satire & speculation; – truths some of which might beseem the bench or the pulpit, – & others that require the sanction of the Cap & Bells for xx xxx their introduction – And withal a narrative interspersed with all sorts interludes of every kind, – yet still continuous upon a plan of its own, varying from grave to gay, – & taking as wild, & yet as natural a course as one of our mountain streams.

Dover I hope will do you all good. – I <am> vexed to think of Henrys slavery, – & the thought of it made me apply to our friend what Scaliger says of Thuanus in one of his letters, – Optimus vir est, et nostri studiosissimus: sed utinam tantum auderet, quantum potest. Nam hoc unicum deesse illi videtur. –

I am reading Scaligers Epistles at this time, treading in my Uncles steps who gave me the book when I was in town. Not long ago I finished Isaac Casaubons.

Oh what men were these! & thank God men will never be wanting, like them in one respect at least, that they xxxx will pursue the accumulation of knowledge with as much zeal as others follow the pursuit of wealth & derive a thousand fold more pleasures in the acquirement.

Can you tell me what is become of poor Knox?

so long a time has elapsed since I have received one of his epistles that I am apprehensive some mishap has befallen him.