Letters to Atticus

[The Report on Parliament] of the Gentleman's Magazine was, for several years, executed by Mr. William Guthrie, a man who deserves to be respectably recorded in the literary annals of this country. He was descended of an ancient family in Scotland ; but having a small patrimony, and being an adherent of the unfortunate house of Stuart, he could not accept of any office in the state ; he therefore came to London, and employed his talents and learning as an " Authour by profession." His writings in history, criticism, and politicks, had considerable merit. He was the first English historian who had recourse to that authentick source of information, the Parliamentary Journals ; and such was the power of his political pen, that, at an early period, government thought it worth their while to keep it quiet by a pension, which he enjoyed till his death. Johnson esteemed him enough to wish that his life should be written. --Boswell, Life of Johnson

... I have been amusing myself latterly with reading the voluminous letters of Cicero. They certainly breathe the proud effusions of an exalted patriot, while the parricide Caesar is left in odious contrast. When the enthusiasm however kindled by Cicero's pen & principles subsides into cool reflection, I ask myself What was that government, which the virtues of Cicero were so zealous to restore, & the ambition of Caesar to subvert? ... (TJ to John Adams, 10 December 1819)

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