_The Earl of Orrery to Mr., afterwards Dr., Thomas Birch._
[Addit. MS., Brit. Mus., 4303, Art. 147. Orig.]
Caledon, Sept. 21, 1748.
Dear Sir,
It either is, or seems to be, a long time since I heard from you. Perhaps
you are writing the very same sentence to me; but as the loss is on my
side, you must give me leave to complain.
This summer has passed away in great idleness and feasting: so that I have
scarce looked into a book of any sort. Mrs. Pilkington and Con. Philips,
however, have not escaped me. I was obliged to read them to adapt myself to
the conversation of my neighbours, who have talked upon no other topic,
notwithstanding the more glorious subjects of Peace, and Lord Anson's
voyage. The truth is, we are better acquainted with the stile of Con. and
Pilky, than with the hard names and distant places that are mentioned in
the Voyage round the World.
I have not peeped into the Anti-Lucretius: it is arrived at Caledon, and
reserved for the longest evenings. Carte's voluminous History is weighing
down one of my shelves. He likewise is postponed to bad weather, or a fit
of the gout. Last week brought us the first Number of Con's second volume.
She goes on triumphantly, and is very entertaining. Her sister Pilkington
is not so fortunate. She has squandered away the money she gained by her
first volume, and cannot print her second. But from you, I hope to hear of
books of another sort. A thin quarto named _Louthiana_ is most delicately
printed, and the cuts admirably engraved: and yet we think the County of
Louth the most devoid of Antiquities of any County in Ireland. The County
of Corke is, I believe, in the press; and I am told it will be well
executed. I have seen the County of Waterford, and approve of it very much.
These kind of Books are owing to an Historical Society formed at Dublin,
and of great use to this kingdom, which is improving in all Arts and
Sciences very fast: tho' I own to you, the cheapness of French Claret is
not likely to add much at present to the encrease of literature. If all
true Hibernians could bring themselves to be of your opinion and Pindar's,
the glorious memory of King William might keep the head cool, and still
warm the heart; but, alas, it sets both on fire: and till these violent
fits of bacchanalian loyalty are banished from our great tables, I doubt
few of us shall ever rise higher in our reading than the Memoirs of that
kind I first mentioned.