Berlin, 27 mars [1752]
Dear sr,
My Lewis the fourteenth is on the Elbe about a month ago.
J do'nt know wether the grand monark has put to sea to invade Great Britain, but book-sellers are greater politicians than Lewis and j. It is very likely they have prevented me by sending my book to London by the way of Roterdam, while my bale of printed tales, is on the Elbe, and so they will reape all the benefit of my labours, according to the noble way of the world.
My books is prohibited amongst my dear countrymen, because j have spoken truth, and the delais of cargoes, and the jarring of winds hinder if from pursuing his journey to England. So have j to fight against sea and earth, and hell for booksellers are the hell of writers. Be what it will receive dear sr my cargoe of printed sheets when winds and storms will permitt. Do what you please with them, J am resign'd. J had rather to be read than to be sold. Truth is above trade, and reputation above money.
J am sorry that England is sunk into romances, the time of Newton, Loke, Pope, Adisson, Steele, Swift, is gone. It seems all the world is degenerated. If you have a mind to amuse you and my lady Fawkener with excellent french performances, there are few of that kind in any country what ever. The best books I know in regard to history are these:
La conspiration de Venize de l'abbé de st -Rëal, a work equal to Salust, and the original of yr Venice preserv'd.
La décadence de L'empire par Mr Montesquieu.
Les réflexions sur les Romains de st Real et même de st Evremont.
La traduction française de l'histoire latine de de Thou, but it is a great undertaking to read so voluminous a book.
L'histoire de la ligue de Cambray, par l'abbé du Bos, très bon ouvrage.
La conquête de la Franche Comté par Pélisson.
Les mémoires du duc de Sully, premier ministre de Henry 4, rédigez par l'abbé de l'Ecluse, a most curious, instructive and pleasant work.
Les mémoires du cardinal de Rets, worthy of an englishman.
Les mémoires de madame sister to king Charles the second, par madame la comtesse de la Fayette.
Les mémoires de Joli, secrétaire du cardinal de Rets.
Les mémoires du dernier duc de Guise qui se rendit maître de Naples.
L'Histoire du duc de Guise le balafré par Valincourt.
Les mémoires d'Espagne par made de Launoy, the only histori where spanish customs are to be found.
La vie du duc d'Epernon par Girard. You know it.
Les lettres de madame de Sevigné, where several particular facts are lively describ'd.
Les mémoires de l'abbé de Montgon. There are private transactions of Spain.
La vie de Henri quatre par Perefixe.
Le triumvirat de Vertot.
Sa révolution de Portugal.
La vie du feu duc d'Orleans. Tho writ in Holland and not clear of errors, yet there are many truths. The author is a jesuit who abjur'd Loyola and France. He was formerly preceptor to the earl d'Argenson, now secretari of state.
All these books concerning history may be entertaining. J do not mention the best performances celebrated through all Europe: Le discours de M. Bossuet, évêque de Meaux, sur l'histoire universelle, L'histoire ancienne de Rolin.
As to Romances j hope you and yr lady you do not care very much for them. Yet there are some writ in a very lively manner. Nothing is more pleasing in that scurrilous way than the performances of our Hamilton, born in France of a Scottish family.
We have many voiages usefull and entertaining, those of Chardin, Tavernier, Bernier, La Loubere, Fourbin etc. Labat.
As to miscelaneous works, La Rochefoucaut, le Menagiana de la Monoye, Pascal, La Bruiere, st Real, st Evremond in some places may be read with much pleasure.
There are very curious performances in the mémoirs de l'académie des belles lettres.
For the Spanish authors j know not many worthy of yr perusal, besides don Guixote in point of ridicule, the conquest of Mexico as to history, and Quevedo in point of imagination.
Italy will afford you the old fruits of its soil, Guicciardino un poco cicalatore, Machiaveli il Tito Livio di Firenze, fra Paolo Sarpi savio nemico della chieza romana.
But the last centuries are barren in Itali: the inquisition hath damp'd the genious of that warm climate. The country of August and Horace is but the land of priestood and priestcraft. Even the whole Italy where every body, priests and jades make sonnetos, has not at this time one tolerable poet. All Europe seems stinted to mediocrity in every kind. But you are one of the most amiable souls that any age produc'd, and j am for ever yr with the most tender gratitude
V.