great attributes, of the essential qualities of the historian, accuracy, fidelity, impartiality, I could not, even if I thought myself qualified to judge, attempt to speak in this letter. But I am sensible that I have neither the knowledge nor the strength, much less the coolness of judgment necessary, to make opinion valuable on such subjects. I could easily give my own opinion, but—of no use. The less I am inclined to speak when I do not know, the more I am anxious to hear; and most delightful and profitable would it be to me to hoar the great historian himself speak on many points which I hear discussed by my learned brother. Dean Butler, and others (on Clarendon's character, &c. &c. &c). We have not yet seen any of the public reviews of Macaulay's History. No doubt the stinging, little, ephemeral insects will come out in swarms to buz and fly-blow in the sunshine. The warmer, the brighter, the thicker the swarm will be to prick. I hope you will read this unconscionable lengthy letter when you are in your carriage, rolling about from patient to patient, and be patient yourself then, my dear doctor. You are always so very good and kind to me that 1 encroach. I seldom write such long espistles. As the most impudent beggar-woman in our town says to Mrs. E., "Ma'am, your ladyship, I never beg from anyone so much as your ladyship; troth, never from any but you." . . .
Give my most kind and affectionate remembrances to Mrs. Holland and your daughters and sons, and
This letter, so characteristic in its humility and generous admiration, shows no sign of old age or impaired faculties, neither is there any trace of this in one of the last she ever wrote, addressed to her sister Harriet:—
