"fold." "I cannot fay," replied the Englishman," that I have thought much "on this fubject; but I fhall be obliged if will enumerate a few of you

" to you "them."

"In the first place," refumed the Scot," Has fhe not greatly increased "in wealth fince that time?"" She has "fo," replied the other, fmiling," and I "never knew the real caufe before."

"In

the next place, Has fhe not acquired a "million and a half of subjects, who other

wife would have been with her enemies? "For this, and other reafons, they are

equivalent to three millions. In the "third place, Has fhe not acquired fecu

rity without which, riches are of no value. There is no door open now, Sir, by which the French can enter into your 66 country. They dare as foon be d→→→→ as attempt to invade Scotland; fo if you can defend your own coaft, there is no "fear of you; but without a perfect union

with Scotland, England could not enjoy "the principal benefit fhe derives from her

"infular

man.

infular fituation." "Not till Scotland "fhould be fubdued," faid the English"Subdued!" repeated the aftonifhed Scot; "let me tell you, Sir, that " is a very strange hypothefis; the fruit"less attempts of many centuries might "have taught you that the thing is impof"fible; and, if you are converfant in hif

tory, you will find, that, after the de

"cline of the Roman Empire, the course "of conqueft was from the North to the "South." "You mean," faid the South Briton," that Scotland would have con

quered England." "Sir," replied the other, "I think the English as brave a "nation as ever exifted, and therefore I "will not fay that the Scotch are braver; "far lefs fhall I affert, that they, confift

ing of only a fifth part of the numbers, "could fubdue the English; but I am sure, "that rather than fubmit they would try; " and you will admit that the trial would "be no advantage to either country."

VOL. II.

A a

"Although

Although I am fully convinced," faid the Englishman, "how the experiment "would end, I fhould be forry to fee it "made, particularly at this time." ❝ Yet "Sir," rejoined the Scot," there are. people of your country, as I am told, "who, even at this time, endeavour to exafperate the minds of the inhabitants of one part of Great Britain against the na"tives of the other, and to create diffenfion "between two countries, whofe mutual

66

fafety depends on their good agreement; "two countries whom Nature herself, by. "feparating them from the rest of the "world, and encircling them with her

azure bond of union, feems to have in"tended for one." "I do affure you, my "good Sir," faid the English Gentleman, "I am not of the number of those who "wish to raife fuch diffenfion. I love the

Scotch; I always thought them a sen"fible and gallant people; and some of "the most valued friends I have on earth,

"are of your country." "You are a man "of honour and difcernment," faid the Caledonian, feizing him eagerly by the hand; " and I proteft, without prejudice

or partiality, that I never knew a man

"of that character who was not of your

LETTER LXX.

Florence.

WE arrived in this city the third day

after leaving Rome, though I have

delayed writing till now. I wished to know fomething of the place, and to be a little acquainted with the people. The last is not difficult; because the Florentines are naturally affable, and the hospitality and politeness of the British Minister afford his countrymen frequent opportunities of forming an acquaintance with the best company in Florence. This gentleman has been here about thirty years, and is greatly esteemed by the Florentines. It is probably owing to this circumstance, and to the magnificent stile in which some English Noblemen live, who have long refided here, that the English, in general, are favourites with the inhabitants of this place. Lord Cooper's conduct