LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
WILLIAM LAW'S " LETTERS."
[TO THE EDITOR OF TILE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—At the close of your admirable review of my " Life of William Law," a question is asked respecting the printed col- lection of Law's " Letters," which I will answer at once. Before doing so, however, may I be allowed to express my hearty thanks to your reviewer, whose approbation I value all the more, because it evidently comes from one who is thoroughly acquainted with the subject on which he writes. This is shown, among other ways, by the pertinency of his question; which I will endeavour to answer. What I know about the various editions of Law's " Letters " is this. The first was published by Richardson (of " Clarissa Harlowe " and " Sir Charles Grandi- son " notoriety), in the early part of 1700. This was the only edition that appeared in Mr. Law's lifetime; but Mr. Law had very little to do with its publication; everything was entirely managed by Mr. Wardand Mr.Langcote, and it was done, I fancy, rather hastily. A second edition appeared some little time after Law's death ; and in 1782 there came out a third edition, which is the most carefully executed of all. In 1815 a "new edition" (I presume the fourth) appeared ; but various circumstances, which it would weary your readers to enumerate, led. me to think that the order of letters in the third edition was that of which Law himself would have most approved. This order, therefore, I have adopted ; but I have to thank your reviewer for having reminded me that I ought to have stated this in my work, as well as for his many kind words of praise.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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