L30/14/315/3

From Beilby Porteus, Hunton to 2nd Baron Grantham:

18 Nov 1774

From: 1774 To: 1774

Delay in acknowledging last letter due to a visit from a gentleman from Madrid who didn't leave his name but was due to call back having missed Porteus, nothing more heard or seen of him. Any explanation? Very lengthy review of Lord Chesterfield's letters [Philip Dormer Stanhope 4th Earl of Chesterfield]; letters to his natural son with Mdme du Bouchet, published by son’s widow 1774; can't say whether he was more entertained or disgusted...letters must be considered as perfect modals of Epistolary composition.... What a pity it is that all the excellencies should be disgraced and obscured by faults which render them to nine readers out of ten not only useless but ruinous!... If a man does but Sin like a Gentleman it is all he desires...surely there is something uncommonly shocking & disgusting in seeing a Parent instilling such principles into his Child; & I am sure Mr. Stanhope himself must have despised & hated Ld. Chesterfield when he read the letters...". Mentions contents of Chesterfield's Will. Comments on; Dr. Campbell's `Political Survey of Great Britain'; Dr. Goldsmith's `a History of the Early & Animated Nature' said to be "in great measure an abridgement of Buffon". Also Mr. Pennant's `Tour to Scotland' and `Tour to the Hebrides'. Latter containing good description of Character & manners of the old Highland Chieftans, together with story of two men who protected The Pretender after Culloden, description of Iona, mention of Scottish Bagpipe as an originally classical instrument. Last August, Bishop of Winchester gave Porteus commission to offer Dr. Beattie a Living of £500 per year, then vacant in his Lordship's Gift if he chose to take orders in the Church of England. Beattie declined, gives description of his position. Professor of Moral Philosophy at Aberdeen, his salary £300 per year. Reasons for refusal; more leisure in present post to pursue his favourite studies and loyalty to Church of Scotland. Comments on Beattie’s `Essay on Truth' and the Answer by of Dr. Priestley. Detailed description of life & works of latter and his religious beliefs as Head of the Rational Dissenters. Formerly Dissenting Minister and taught at Dissenting Academy, Warrington, had a meeting house at Leeds, now companion of Ld. Shelburne and superintends education of his son. Has allowance of £2-300 per year. Lists his publications particularly `The Discovery of the Properties of fixed air' and `History of Electricity'. Received Sylver Medal from Royal Society for former. Professes to be a Socinian; a sect denying the Divinity & pre-existence of the Saviour, refusing to worship latter or allow that his death was atonement for sins of world. Considers Church of England to be corrupt, superstitious & idolatrous. Has now taken up his pen against Beattie, Oswald & Reid. New edition of the Lady's Travels into Spain, pretty exact account of Spain at that time, customs, manners... "At all events I ought to read it, in order to be able to talk with you about it, as a very good Courtier last Winter sate up all night to read Lord Chesterfield's letters that [I] might converse upon them with the King who read them very early (probably in ms.) & complained that he could meet with no body with whom he could speak on that Subject. Here is a piece of Court Ingenuity for you! Don't say, my Lord, that I never taught you a single maxim of worldly wisdom...". Attending House of Convocation next week; the Ecclesiastical Parliament dissolved & prorogued with national one. Describes workings and current status of. Porteus chosen for Church of Peterborough. Description of Ceremony of the first meeting of the Convocation.

item

Chesterfield,
Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of,
Bouchet,
Stanhope,
Campbell,
Goldsmith,
Pennant,
Beattie,
Priestly,
Warrington,
Shelburne,
Oswald,
Reid