horrid crimes knavery can invent, and fanaticifm put in execution. Mahomet here is no more than Tartuffe armed with power. I shall think myfelf well rewarded for my labour, if any of these weak minds, that are ever ready to receive the impreffions of a foreign fury, not to be found at the bottom of their own hearts, can ftrengthen itself against fuch dangerous illufions, by the reading of this work; if, being struck with horror at the unfortunate obedience of Seide, it fays to itfelf: "Why fhould I blindly obey the rage of those who cry out; hate, perfecute, deftroy whoever dares to differ with us in opinion, on fubjects indifferent to us, and which we do not understand ?" I wish I could contribute to eradicate fuch fentiments from among men! The fpirit of indulgence might make brothers of us all, that of perfecution is capable of producing only monsters. Thus thinks your majefty. It would be to me the greatest comfort to live near fo philofophic a king. My attachment to you is equal to my regret; and if other duties call me away, they shall never efface from my breaft the fentiments which I owe to a prince who thinks and speaks as a man, who defpifes that falfe gravity, which always hides lowness and ignorance; who communicates his thoughts with freedom, because he can be under no fear of being found out; who is always defirous of being informed, and who can inftruct the most learned. I fhall always remain with the most profound refpect, and the most lively acknowledgments, &c. Rotterdam, January H 3 A LET A LETTER To Pope BENEDICT the Fourteenth, On fending him his tragedy of Mahomet*. Moft bleffed Father, OUR holiness will pardon the li YOUR berty that one of the loweft of the faithful, but one of the greatest admirers of virtue, makes bold to take in fubmitting to the chief of the true religion, this performance against the founder of a false and barbarous fect. To whom could I more properly dedicate the fatire of the cruelty and errors of a falfe prophet, than to the vicar and follower of a God of lenity and truth? Your holiness will therefore give me leave to lay at your feet this little book * Written originally in Italian. and and its author, and humbly to request your protection for the one, and your benediction for the other. With these most refpectful fentiments I kneel and kifs your facred feet. Benedict the fourteenth, pope, to our beloved fon, apoftolic greeting and benediction, L AST week was prefented to us, your very fine tragedy of Ma homet, which we have read with the greatest pleasure. Cardinal Paffionei has fince presented to us your excellent poem of Fontenoy. Mr. Leprotti has alfo given us the diftich*, which has been placed under our portrait. Yesterday: Lambertinus hic eft Romæ, decus et pater orbis Qui mundum fcriptis docuit, virtutibus ornat. morning: |