who is still stiff-kneed but well in other respects. —I am, dear Sir, yours most sincerely,
38.
To William Hayley.
Dear Sir,—I thank you heartily for your kind offer of reading, etc.; I have read the book through attentively and was much entertained and instructed, but have not yet come to the Life of Washington, I suppose an American would tell me that Washington did all that was done before he was born, as the French now adore Bonaparte and the English our poor George; so the Americans will consider Washington as their god. This is only Grecian, or rather Trojan,[1] worship, and perhaps will be revised in an age or two. In the meantime I have the happiness of seeing the Divine countenance in such men as Cowper and Milton more distinctly than in any prince or hero. Mr. Phillips has sent a small poem; he would not tell the author's name, but desired me to inclose it for you with Washington's Life.
Mr. Carr called on me, and I, as you desired,
