[f.1041.10v]
To
Mr Ja:^s Nicholson
Liverpool

[f.1041.10]

Liverpoole Nov^r 18^th 1738.

I’m afraid (my Dear friend) has but too much reason to say I am
good for nothing, it being now three weeks since I had your
last favour, & I have nothing to say in excuse for my self
but when I had opportunity somthing Else (tho perhaps not more
material) put it out of my thoughts. And now I am set to it
I am quite at a loss for a subject I observe in your last you
say (& I believe Justly) that the passions are the only Incitements
of our Actions, may it not then be a very proper Inquiry
what is the most proper Method to get the Intire Mastery of
our Passions? And as there is not any I belive more outrageous
than the passions of Anger when left to it self, nor none
that is more generally left so, I do not think that it wou’d be
loseing time if you and I Cou’d be helpful to on another in
governing more Exactly this (so often) unreasonable Frenzy of
the Mind, not that I think we are either of us so much
addicted to it as we may perhaps see some others, but then
may we not Consider the Smaller the temptation & the
Greater the Crime if we be over Come. And here I frankly
own I have proposed to what I am very incapable of solveing
But I belive we must be obliged to take in another, to the
more properly Explaining of this: And that is w^ch Cleves to our
nature the Closest, tho’ the most unreasonible that they
Humane mind is possess’d of, I belive you easyly guese I
mean Pride, I do not say there is no unreasonable Anger
but pride is the Original of it, but I believe it is most Commonly
so, if it bee, then to Govern our Spirits with regard to y^e first
We must Indeavour to root out the Last, and if we but con
sider the aposite virtue Humility might, wou’d it not make us hate
that which must make us odious both to God & man? for the
Proud are never loved in this world to look no further, and the Humble
person has the fewest Enemys here. I wish by thus writing on Enconium
oh that adorning virtue, I Cou’d make my Self in Love with it, So as
to practice it more! thus I have given you a few hints w^ch you Can better
Inlarge on, & shall beg your thoughts upon it who am your
Constant Friend Honoria


‘I assure you I lock yours up more
Carefully than any treasure I have & shew
‘em to none’

[f.1041.10v]
To
Mr Ja:^s Nicholson
Liverpool

[f.1041.10]

Liverpool Nov^r 18^th 1738.

I’m afraid (my Dear friend) has but too much reason to say I am
good for nothing, it being now three weeks since I had your
last favour, & I have nothing to say in excuse for my self
but when I had opportunity something Else (though perhaps not more
material) put it out of my thoughts. And now I am set to it
I am quite at a loss for a subject I observe in your last you
say (& I believe Justly) that the passions are the only Incitements
of our Actions, may it not then be a very proper Inquiry
what is the most proper Method to get the Entire Mastery of
our Passions? And as there is not any I believe more outrageous
than the passions of Anger when left to it self, nor none
that is more generally left so, I do not think that it would be
losing time if you and I Could be helpful to on another in
governing more Exactly this (so often) unreasonable Frenzy of
the Mind, not that I think we are either of us so much
addicted to it as we may perhaps see some others, but then
may we not Consider the Smaller the temptation & the
Greater the Crime if we be over Come. And here I frankly
own I have proposed to what I am very incapable of solving
But I believe we must be obliged to take in another, to the
more properly Explaining of this: And that is whi^ch Cleves to our
nature the Closest, though’ the most unreasonable that they
Humane mind is possess’d of, I believe you easily guess I
mean Pride, I do not say there is no unreasonable Anger
but pride is the Original of it, but I believe it is most Commonly
so, if it bee, then to Govern our Spirits with regard to the first
We must Endeavour to root out the Last, and if we but con
sider the apposite virtue Humility might, would it not make us hate
that which must make us odious both to God & man? for the
Proud are never loved in this world to look no further, and the Humble
person has the fewest Enemies here. I wish by thus writing on Encomiscor
oh that adorning virtue, I Could make my Self in Love with it, So as
to practice it more! thus I have given you a few hints whi^ch you Can better
Enlarge on, & shall beg your thoughts upon it who am your
Constant Friends Honoria


‘I assure you I lock yours up more
Carefully than any treasure I have & shew
‘em to none’