He may get a good deal of money by printing it in France. But in case he attempts it I must at least be acquainted with his design, and I will send him many alterations and corrections which will do good to the work and more to him.
You will see by some annotations tacked to my book, and fathered upon an English lord, that I am here a confessor of catholic religion. Though the poem is written in a language not much admired here in regard to poetry, yet three editions have been made in less than three weeks, which I assure you I attribute entirely to the lucky subject I have pitched upon, and not at all to the performance. I do not send you yet my great edition, because I am really afraid of having not copies enough to answer the calls of the subscribers. I have given notice to many a bookseller in France that my Henriade in-quarto was ready to be delivered to the subscribers at a place which I have appointed in London. It is at messieurs Simon and Benezet’s, merchants, by the Royal-Exchange. They are so kind as to consent the book should be delivered at their house to anybody who will send some of my receipts. I desire you to tell Tiriot of it, that he may acquaint the world I am ready to satisfy the subscribers.
I have been tempted to send you an essay of mine which I have been bold enough to print in English above two months ago : but I dare not send any thing of that kind into France before I have settled my affairs in that country. I have the misfortune to have lost all my annuities upon the town-house for want of a formality ; and now, as I am struggling for their recovery, I think I am not to let the French court know that I think and write like a free Englishman. I heartily wish to see you and my friends, but I had rather to see them in England than in France. You, who are a perfect Briton, you should cross the channel and come to us. I assure you again, that a man of your temper would not dislike a country where one obeys to the laws only and to one’s whims. Reason is free here and walks her own way. Hypochondriacs especially are welcome. No manner of living appears strange. We have men who walk six miles a day for their health, feed upon roots, never taste flesh, wear a coat in winter thinner than your ladies do in the hottest days : all that is accounted a particular reason, but taxed with folly by nobody.
Let us return to the Henriade again. Of those three volumes which are in a packet directed to you, I charge Tiriot to send one
