David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ He assumed a gracious air, thanked me for the trouble I had taken, and asked me if I wished him to tell me freely what I thought. ‘Most willingly, sir,’ replied I, ‘for that very reason I have shewn you my translation.’ Then rising, and taking a tone both emphatic and sententious, he made me this very obliging speech, ‘Sir, I find that you know neither English nor French; your style is harsh; in many places you make me say absurd things ”

“ Amongst us French, all polite people speak in this manner, and the words a eu la bonté convey no expression of a favour bestowed, but are simply a compliment which leads to no consequence.’ ‘Ah, well,’ replied he, ‘we English are unceremonious people, and do not love compliments, and you will oblige me by leaving that out.’ We subsequently examined some other passages, upon which his remarks were about as well founded, and I would have withdrawn my manuscript ”

“ In the hope of securing an introduction to remunerative employment he began his labours in London by executing a translation of Lyttelton’s brochure, entitled “Observations on the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul,” and thereupon was permitted to call on the author (who was not elevated to the peerage till 1757) . He has described the interview, which I copy as a picture of the feelings of a refugee in the great metropolis, just arrived, and in his thirty-eighth year. The statesman (then a Lord of the Treasury) received him one morning at about ten o’clock. ”