Ossian Collection > Life and letters of James Macpherson

230 JAMES MACPHERSON.
volume had been brought out by Strahan and
Cadell ; and Cadell, it appears, had suggested
that some notice should be taken of the " Plain
Dealer". The following undated letter to Cadell,
with an enclosure, has been preserved. It was
probably written early in 1775.
" Private.
" Dear Sir,
" Something like the enclosed may do.
Will you transcril^e it carefully, as it would be
highly improper anything in commendation of
the uwk should go in the hand of the author ?
I can easily trace the malignity of the John-
sonians in the 'Plain Dealer'. Such allegations,
though too futile to impose on men of sense, may
have weight with the foolish and prejudiced, who
are a great majority of mankind. I think, there-
fore, no such things should ap^^ear at all, if it can
he done.
" I am, dear Sir,
" Yours affectionately,
"J. M.
'' Half-past 4 o'clock.
''To Mr. Cadell, bookseller, opposite Catherine
Street, Strand."
'"To the Printer of the St. James' Chronicle.
" ' It is doubtful whether the writer who
signs himself "A Plain Dealer" in your paper
of Tuesday discovers most malice or folly. He