ss in this town. I
must tell you--

A plague to interruptions! I ordered myself to be denied,
and yet here is one that has broke in upon me again. He is a
man of letters, and we have had a good deal of literary
conversation. You told me that you was curious of literary
anecdotes, and therefore I shall inform you of a few that
have come to my knowledge. I believe I have mentioned to you
already Helvetius's book _De l'Esprit_. It is worth your
reading, not for its philosophy, which I do not highly
value, but for its agreeable composition. I had a letter
from him a few days ago, wherein he tells me that my name
was much oftener in the manuscript, but that the censor of
books at Paris obliged him to strike it out.

Voltaire has lately published a small work called _Candide,
ou l'Optimisme_. I shall give you a detail of it. But what
is all this to my book, say you? My dear Mr. Smith, have
patience; compose yourself to tranquillity. Show yourself a
philosopher in practice as well as profession. Think on the
impotence and rashness and futility of the common judgments
of men, how little they are regulated by reason on any
subject, much more on philosophical subjects, which so far
exceed the comprehension of the vulgar--

Non, si quid turbida Roma
Elevet, accedas: examenve improbum in ilia
Castiges trutina: nec te quaesiveris extra.

A wise man's kingdom is his own heart; or, if he ever looks
farther, it will only be to the judgment of a select few,
who are free from prejudices and capable of examining; his
work. Nothing, indeed, can be a stronger presumption of
falsehood than the approbation of the multitude; and
Phocion, you know, always suspected himself of some blunder
when he was attended with the applause of the populace.

Supposing, therefore, that you have duly prepared yourself
for the worst by all these reflections, I proceed to tell
you the melancholy news that your book has been very
unfortunate, for the public seem disposed to applaud it
extremely. It was looked for by the foolish people with some
impatience; and the mob of literati are beginning already to
be very loud in its praises. Three bishops called yesterday
at Millar's shop in order to buy copies, and to ask
questions a