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TESTIMONY OF DR. MESSITER. 43
acquired, and blessed abilities, I can with much truth,
from my frequent converse with him, assert, are a high
ornament to human nature. Credulity, prejudice, or
partiality seem to have no share in his compositions or
character, nor is he in the least influenced by any avari
cious or interested view. A proof of this last assertion
was afforded me by his refusing an offer of any money
he might have occasion for while in England, which was
made him on a supposal that his want of connexions in a
place where he was a stranger might prove an obstacle to
his divine pursuits. I am inclined to mention this cir
cumstance to obviate the jealousies most men are apt to
entertain of works of this sort, which they think only
designed ad captandos denarios : but this suspicion
seems also pretty well removed in the printed letter
entitled Ad Amicum Responsum. His learning, like his
charity, is universal : but what his merit in these per
formances may be, I humbly submit to your superior
judgment.-Excuse this liberty, and believe me to be,
with the most profound respect, Sir, your most humble
and obedient servant,
"H. MESSITER."
The Professor’s Answer.
66
Aberdeen, November 7, 1769.
" SIR,
"It is about a week since I received the favour of
yours of October 23, but the books to which it refers
came to hand only last night. I have had scarce time
at all to look into them, and therefore can pretend to
give no opinion of them ; but, as you desired to hear
from me on my receiving them, I could not think of
delaying to return my thanks to you and Mr. Sweden
borg for the present to which I have no sort of title. I
hope you will do me the honour to offer him my best
respects. The necessary business of my profession at
this season will probably make it some time before I
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