Mr. CARTWRIGHT to Mr. JONES.

SIR;

May 8, 1780.

It is with pleasure I observe the public papers mention you as one of the candidates to reprefent the University of Oxford at the enfuing election. As a literary fociety, the rank you hold in the republic of letters ought certainly to point you out as one of the first objects of her choice. But it is not merely upon this principle that I feel myself interested in your fuccefs: exclusive of that veneration with which I look up to fuperior talents, I have an additional motive (which indeed ought to fuperfede every other) in the very high opinion I have formed of your integrity. If in this opinion I should be mistaken, your own writings have greatly contributed to mislead me. You will per

ceive, Sir, my reason for troubling you with this letter is to desire that when you make out a lift of your friends upon this occafion, my

name may be admitted into the number. I

am, Sir, with truth, your very fincere well

wifher, &c.

EDMUND CARTWRIGHT.

[Mr. JONES to the Rev. E. CART

WRIGHT.

Lamb's Buildings, Temple, May 16, 1780.

DEAR SIR;

Since my friends have declared me a candidate for the very honourable feat which Sir Roger Newdigate intends to vacate, I have received many flattering testimonies of regard from feveral refpectable perfons; but your letter, dated May 8th, which I did not receive till this morning, is, without a compliment, the fairest and most pleafing fruit of the competition in which I am engaged. The rule of the University, which is a very noble one, forbidding me to folicit votes for myself, I have not been at liberty even to apply to many perfons whom it is both a pleasure and honour to know. Your unfolicited approbation is a great reward of my paft toil in my literary career,

and no fmall incentive to future exertions. As to my integrity, of which you are pleased to exprefs a good opinion, it has not yet been tried by any very ftrong temptations; I hope it will refift them if any be thrown in my way. This only I may fay (and I think without a boast) that my ambition was always very much bounded, and that my views are already attained by profeffional fuccefs adequate to my highest expectations. Perhaps I fhall not be thought very unambitious, if I add, that my great object of imitation is Mr. Selden, and that if I could obtain the fame honour which was conferred on him, I should, like him, devote the rest of my life to the service of my constituents and my country, to the practice of an useful profeffion, and to the unremitted study of our English laws, hiftory and literature. To be approved by you, and fuch men as you (if many fuch could be found), would be a fufficient reward to, &c.

WILLIAM JONES.

Permit me to add an ode printed (but not published) before the prefent competition,

and at a time when I fhould have been certainly made a judge in India, by the kindness of Lord North, if any appointment had taken place. It proves fufficiently that no views or connections can prevent me from declaring honeft fentiments when I think they may

my

be useful to my country.

Mr. BURROWS to Mr. JONES.

SIR,

Hadley, near Barnet, May 23, 1780.

For the first time I am forry I did not take all my degrees. I should have been happy to have given the teftimony of an individual to a merit, which I have long confidered as the reproach, as well as ornament of this age and country: I must add, it would have given me particular pleasure to have expreffed my gratitude to one who has fo much contributed to my inftruction and amufement.

I moft heartily wish you fuccefs, as the republic feems in danger of taking fome

harm from the weakness of her friends, and the vigour of her foes, and never in any time of her life ftood in more need of the attracting and repelling powers of men of ability. I muft own too, I have an additional reafon for wishing you feated in the British parliament, as I fhall take great fatisfaction in seeing the dull of all denominations convinced, that men of wit and learning are as capable of excelling in public business, as they call it, as the moft illiterate of them all.

Although I have not yet the honour, to which I have long aspired, of your acquaintance and friendship, yet I am perfuaded that the bond which ought in this crifis to unite all honest men is, idem fentire de republica; and my friend, Mr. Milles, having imparted to me the contents of your yesterday's note, I beg leave to affure you,