[…] his Lordship is deceived if he think any spontaneous action after once being checked in it, differs from an action voluntary and elective, for even the setting of a mans foot, in the posture for walking, and the action of ordinary eating was once deliberated of how and when it should be done, and though afterward it became easie & habitual so as to be done without fore-thought, yet that does not hinder but that the act is voluntary and proceedeth from election.

The general deſign of this work will not permit us minutely to relate the actions of every emperor after he aſcended the throne, much leſs deduce the various fortunes of his private life.

As regards alcohol, eight of the men, including one subject of gout and one of lead-poisoning, confined their potations to two pints of beer or less daily. Of one more, a painter, gouty and saturnic, the amount was not ascertained.

Between ourselves, the country is rather triste, and you have given me positively a sensation; yet my forte is not the Arcadian: however, I will do my petit possible to console you for the loss of le beau Lindor, who was my predecessor.