 that
she never could have the niece without her aunt's company - I have endeavoured
to sound Square-toes on this subject; but he carefully avoids all explanation.
    I have now, dear Phillips, filled a whole sheet; and if you have read it to
an end, I dare say, you are as tired as
Your humble servant,
                                                                      J. MELFORD
    London, June 2.
 

                                  To Dr. Lewis

Yes, Doctor, I have seen the British Museum; which is a noble collection, and
even stupendous, if we consider it was made by a private man, a physician, who
was obliged to make his own fortune at the same time: but great as the
collection is, it would appear more striking if it was arranged in one spacious
saloon, instead of being divided into different apartments, which it does not
entirely fill - I could wish the series of medals was connected, and the whole
of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms completed, by adding to each, at
the public expence, those articles that are wanting. It would likewise be a
great improvement, with respect to the library, if the deficiencies were made
up, by purchasing all the books of character that are not to be found already in
the collection - They might be classed in centuries, according to the dates of
their publication, and catalogues printed of them and the manuscripts, for the
information of those that want to consult, or compile from such authorities. I
could also wish, for the honour of the nation, that there was a complete
apparatus for a course of mathematics, mechanics, and experimental philosophy;
and a good salary settled upon an able professor, who should give regular
lectures on these subjects.
    But this is all idle speculation, which will never be reduced to practice -
Considering the temper of the times, it is a wonder to see any institution
whatsoever established, for the benefit of the public. The spirit of party is
risen to a kind of phrenzy, unknown to former ages, or rather degenerated to a
total extinction of honesty and candour - You know I have observed, for some
time, that the public papers are become the infamous vehicles of the most cruel
and perfidious defamation: every rancorous knave - every desperate incendiary,
that can afford to spend half a crown or three shillings, may skulk behind the
press of a newsmonger, and have a stab at the first character in the kingdom,
without running the least hazard of detection or punishment.
    I have made acquaintance with a Mr. Barton, whom Jery knew at Oxford; a good
sort of a
