MY DEAR SECRETARY,--I have delayed for some time answering
your letter, in expectation of being able to tell you what is
to become of me; whether I am to return home, or remain abroad
some years longer. Though I believe the latter will happen, I
cannot speak of it with certainty, as I left it to Lord B. to
determine for me; and he has not, as yet, given me any answer.
I write to you at present to consult you about an acquaintance
of yours, Mr. V----, who is here with Lord Abingdon, and who
thinks of returning to England, May next. You'll be so good as
to determine for him what character he is to assume on his
arrival, whether that of a clergyman or a layman. I suppose
you know he is in orders, but he is very very low church. To
speak plain language, I believe him to be a sort of disciple
of your own; and, though he does not carry matters quite so
far as you, yet you have given him notions not very consistent
with his priestly character; so that you see you are somewhat
bound to give him your best advice. V---- is a very
good-natured, sensible, honest follow, without any fortune. My
young man has a great liking for him, and has all the
inclination in the world to serve him; but he neither knows
what to ask for him, and is not sure if his father would ask
any thing at present. We are as much in the dark as to what
passes in England, as if we lived in Siberia. As you know
probably something of the matter, without entering into
politics, you may give us some hints to direct us in what
manner to act, and whether we may not be of more use to our
friend in acting as auxiliaries than principals. You'll
determine whether a man of probity can accept of a living, a
bishoprick, that does not believe all the Thirty-nine
Articles; for you only can fix him: he has been hitherto
irresolute. If [I am not] mistaken, he seems rather inclined
not to be a clergyman; but you know as well, and better than I
do, how difficult it is to get any tolerable civil employment.
I mean any patent place; while as soon as you can
conveniently, and if you should determine for his being a
clergyman, throw in something consolatory on his being obliged
to renounce white stockings the rest of his life. I wait with
impatience to hear of your being made secretary to the
embassy. Shall a descendant of Gospatrick, Earl of
Northumberland, remain in the character of under-secretary? I
hope not; though I am afraid our cursed politics at home will
occasion some delay. Lord Mount Stuart offers his compliments
to you, and thanks you for the pleasure your History gave him.
You scrub, do you think we have so little taste or curiosity
as not to have your History complete? We have two copies, one
to lend, and another for our own use; they were sent us