TO MAJOR-GENERAL STOPFORD, ADJUTANT-GENERAL IN THE ARMY OF COLUMBIA. SIR, THERE may be friends, I feel it, who have never seen each other. In the moment of losing, and perhaps for many years, one of my dearest relatives, I rejoice both in her marriage with you and in the time of it, which presents me the opportunity of adding to my congratulations the inscription of these dialogues. There never was a period when public spirit was so feeble in England, or political abilities so rare. Sordid selfishness and frivolous amusement, I will not say, are become the characteristics of our country, but, what is sufficiently calamitous and disgraceful, place it upon a dead level with others. Rising far above and passing far away from them, you have aided in establishing one of those great republics which sprang into existence at the voice of Bolivar, and enjoy for your exertions in the noblest cause the highest distinction any mortal can enjoy, his esteem and confidence. You will find in these Conversations a great variety of subjects and of style. I have admitted a few little men, such as emperors and ministers of modern cut, to shew better the just proportions of the great; as a painter would place a beggar under a triumphal arch or a camel against a pyramid. The sentiments most often inculcated are those which in themselves are best; which, even in times disastrous as our own, produced an Epaminondas, a Pelopidas, and a Phocion; and in these, when genius lies flat and fruitless as the sea-sand, a Washington, a Kosciusko, and a Bolivar. That government beyond a question is the most excellent, which has always been most esteemed by the best and wisest men, and which has produced them in the greatest number. Exult in your glorious undertaking, and be assured that the work, and the satisfaction at completing it, will be durable. Yours faithfully, WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR. Florence, October, 1822. |