make his proposal, and so I send it to you, to make what use of it you please.  He since writ me word, that a friend of his at Oxford would, in some time, be at leisure to do it, and would undertake it.  I bid him excuse himself to him, for that it was in hands I approved of, and some part of it now actually done.  For I hope the essay (he was to show you the next week after you writ to me last) pleased you.  Think it not a compliment, that I desire you to make what alterations you think fit.  One thing particularly you will oblige me and the world in, and that is, in paring off some of the superfluous repetitions, which I left in for the sake of illiterate men, and the softer sex, not used to abstract notions and reasonings.  But much of this reasoning will be out of doors in a latin translation.  I refer all to your judgement, and so am secure it will be done as is best.

What I shall add concerning enthusiasm, I guess, will very much agree with your thoughts, since yours jump so right with mine, about the place where it is to come in, I having designed it for chap. 18, lib. iv, as a false principle of reasoning often made use of.  But, to give an historical account of the various ravings men have embraced for religion, would, I fear, be besides my purpose, and be enough to make an huge volume.

My opinion of P. Malebranche agrees perfectly with yours.  What I have writ concerning ‘seeing all things in God’, would make a little treatise of itself.  But I have not quite gone through it, for fear I should by somebody or other be tempted to print it.  For I love not controversies, and have a personal kindness for the author.  When I have the happiness to see you, we will consider it together, and you shall dispose of it.

I think I shall make some other additions to be put into your latin translation, and particularly concerning the ‘connection of ideas’, which has not, that I know, been hitherto considered, and has, I guess, a greater influence upon our minds than is usually taken notice of.  Thus, you see, I make you the confident of my reveries; you would be troubled with a great many more of them, were you nearer.

TO DR. MOLYNEUX

True friendship

Oates, 27 Oct. 1698.

SIR,

Death has, with a violent hand, hastily snatched from you a dear brother.  I doubt not but, on this occasion, you need all the consolation can be given to one unexpectedly bereft of so worthy and near a relation.  Whatever inclination I may have to alleviate your sorrow, I bear too great a share in the loss, and am too sensibly touched with it myself, to be in a condition to discourse with you on this subject, or do any thing but mingle my tears with yours.  I have lost, in your brother, not only an ingenious and learned acquaintance, all that the world esteemed; but an intimate and sincere friend, whom I truly loved, and by whom I was truly loved:  and what a loss