BIB_ID
137545
Accession number
MA 150.3
Creator
Smith, L.L., Captain, active 1780.
Display Date
1779 Dec. 9.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1901.
Description
1 item (6 p.) ; 22.2 cm
Notes
Docketed on verso.
Part of a large collection of correspondence of Sir Philip Francis; see collection-level record for more information.
Part of a large collection of correspondence of Sir Philip Francis; see collection-level record for more information.
Provenance
By descent to his eldest granddaughter Miss Francis, and in her possession in 1871; sale (London, Sotheby's, 27 November 1897); purchased by Pierpont Morgan from the London dealer J. Pearson & Co., 1901.
Summary
Commenting on the privileges of those in power; saying that "The game of Life when played by the wise and great is almost as idle and trifling as the sport of boys--This world when view'd by a calm and steady eye thro the unsophisticated medium of reason, is a very silly, and laughable object indeed; and the lordly possessors of it, who reign by prescription, and strut in the pageant, are impelled and restrained by the same springs that actuate a beggar; and are but little better than splendid puppets danced about by the unseen hand of necessity;" commenting on Warren Hastings and asking "What in the name of prosperity must this man think of his fortune? Does he not tremble at the hourly throws of chance? Or does he attribute his uniform success to his wisdom and her merit?"
Catalog link
Department