[July 1756]

Dear Sir,

M^rs Garrick & I intend ourselves the Pleasure of waiting upon m^rs Hawkesworth & y^o before we go into Staffordshire, & then we may further discourse upon y^e subject of your last Letter.
It is impossible for me to say how much y^r Character of Zamti may be rais'd by an Alteration from Voltaire: But as he stands at present he is greatly inferior to his Wife; his struggles about y^r resigning of her, may give a strength & vanity that are at present wanted, for indeed I am not touch'd w^th his proposals to Idame, as they stand in y^e French Play. They are intended to be sublimely Heroical; but when Heroism is exerted at y^e Expence of all y^e other Passions, it becomes (in my opinion) very unfit for the Drama, notwithstanding the great fondness of y^e French writers for it.

I agree with you about Douglas almost throughout. I have a doubt upon a few of y^r Remarks. For these & Every thing Else, I am most sincerely Oblig'd to you & without y^e usual Ceremony of finishing a Letter, am

most faithfully

y^r Friend & wellwisher

PS. I will send you a Line when I shall have a Day to Enjoy myself at Bromley.

D. Garrick