Читать книгу Notes and Queries, Number 18, March 2, 1850 - Various - Страница 4

Amongst the letters attributed to Junius, and, in the opinion of Dr. Good, most certainly his production, is one signed "ATTICUS," under date of the 19th Aug. 1768, which contains an allusion to the private affairs of the writer, by no means unimportant. It is as follows:—

"The greatest part of my property having been invested in the funds, I could not help paying some attention to rumours or events by which my fortune might be affected: yet I never lay in wait to take advantage of a sudden fluctuation, much less would I make myself a bubble to bulls and bears, or a dupe to the pernicious arts practised in the Alley. I thought a prudent man, who had any thing to lose, and really meant to do the best for himself and his family, ought to consider the state of things at large, of the prospect before him, and the probability of public events. A letter which appeared some days ago in the Public Advertizer revived many serious reflections of this sort in my mind, because it seemed to be written with candour and judgment. The effect of those reflections was, that I did not hesitate to alter the situation of my property.

"I owe my thanks to that writer that I am safely landed from a troubled ocean of fear and anxiety on which I think I will venture my fortune and my happiness again," &c. &c.

There is no reason to question the truth of these sentiments. The letter is believed to be the first which appeared signed "ATTICUS," and was written many months before the author became known as Junius, and before any necessity had arisen for the exercise of that habitual caution which he afterwards evinced in the mention of any circumstance at all likely to lead to his detection. Would it not, therefore, be worth while to ascertain the date of the letter in the Public Advertizer which influenced him, and then to search the names of the transferrors of stock between that time and the 19th August? Many of the contributors to the "Notes and Queries" have influence sufficient to obtain permission from the proper authority for such a search. It is observable, that as the amount transferred formed the greatest part of his property, it would be somewhat considerable, and might not be sold in the aggregate, but pass in various sums to several purchasers.

JNO. SUDLOW. Manchester.

Junius and Sir G. Jackson.—I find no one has answered my question about Sir George Jackson (No. 11. p. 172.). I will therefore put another. I possess an unpublished letter by Junius to Woodfall, which once belonged to Sir George Jackson. My Query is, "Is it likely he could have obtained it from Junius, if he was neither Junius himself nor a party concerned?" The manner in which Burke evades the question as to himself being the author of Junius makes me think two or three were concerned in these Letters.

P.