то JOHN HILEY ADDINGTON, Esq. JOINT PAYMASTER-GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY's FORCES. MY DEAR SIR, Vicar's-Hill, Jan. 8, 1803. IT T is a pleasure to me, that these little publications afford me an opportunity of giving a teftimony of my affection to fome of my early friends, whofe conduct in life has always given me so much real fatisfaction. I think you are the next in order of feniority, with whose name I wish mine to be united. I revert to this old mode of diftinction, that I may not give offence, if fuch a trifle can give offence, to others, whofe characters I have long very greatly esteemed. With various branches of your family I have had much intimate acquaintance, if I may not call it friendfhip; and have seen, in one or other of them, all the duties of private life very happily fulfilled. It has been the impudent boaft of profligacy, that private vices are public benefits. I fhould not think the welfare of my country ran much risk under the influence of an oppofite maxim. -I dare even venture to conceive, the influence of private virtues will ftill be more beneficial, the more they are exalted into publicNay, I own, my dear Sir, I am fuperftitious enough to believe, a religious prince, and a religious miniftry, are, even in a political light, among the greatest bleffings of a hation. Profligacy, with all its boafted benefits, I hope never to fee connected with any department of the public. It makes a plain man fhudder to hear patriots bawling for the public good, while every action of their lives in odious contraft, proclaim them detefted villains. In the mean time, may you and I confider the virtues of a private life, as a pledge for thofe of a public. For myfelf I am happy that all my friends in public life have given this pledge to their country. Warmed with these fentiments, I beg you, my dear Sir, to believe me, with the greatest fincerity and efteem, Your truly affectionate friend and servant, WILL, GILPIN. |