The Correspondence of Henry St. John and Sir William Trumbull, 1698–1710

1. Henry St. John to Sir William Trumbull

Geneva 23 May 1698
fols. 34 – 35

Geneva May y^e 23 O:S: 1698/

Of all afflictions being separated from one's friends is one of the greatest; and of all the pleasures such an absence will allow, writing to and hearing from 'em is the most sensible. You will therefore forgive me S^r if I claim a priviledge that title gives me, and make use of y^r own consent to y^r own disadvantage; since it is the only case wherein I shall prefer my satisfaction to y^rs.

I am att last S^r got to Geneva after as tedious a journey as frost snow rain hail & wind could create: I found every thing extreamly backward in all my route; and all provisions so very scarce, that I was told in severall places between Lyons and this town, that they must either have a more fruitful year then they have reason to expect, or a severe famine.¹ France has all the melancholy marks of war and absolute gouvernment, which are two of Gods sharpest judgements, <&> which there is but one more can equall, & that is a tyranical Hierarchy; for I believe S^r you will permit me to say that the servants of Heaven are the worst of masters. but in spite of all this misery, the Luxury and extravagance of Paris is rather increas'd then diminish'd; and that is the only place where effeminacy and courage are friends, and where the pursuit of pleasure do's not divert their diligence or lessen their bravery. but the King of France may say of his Soldiers as Cæsar did of his, Milites suos etiam unguentatos bene pugnare posse.² this S^r is a peice of pedantry for which I must beg y^r excuse, but being here entirely devoted to my study 'tis no wonder if I'm infected with the common disease. I have with fear & trembling begun the civill Law, but att y^e same time with a resolution to make as great a progress in it as the little naturall strength I have will permit me. I read according to y^r directions S^r the institutions of Justinian with the assistance of Vinnius,³ Pacius,⁴ and an old paraphrase of Claudius Cantiuncula's,⁵ which I find to be in many places clearer and more helpful then either of the commentatours; you will I hope S^r permit me now & then to give you an account of my studyes, & beg y^r advice, that so I may have an opportunity of assuring you that I am

S^r

y^r most o^b[edien]^t faithful h[um]^ble

servant

H S^t John./

The Marquiss du Quesne⁶

who is in these parts desir'd me to assure

you of his most h[um]^ble service.

Endorsement (by Sir William): M^r S^t Johns. Geneva./23. May. 98./
R[eceived]. 7. June. O.S./w^th my Answ^r.28 June./sent his Father.

2. Sir William Trumbull to Henry St. John

[Easthampstead] 28 June 1698

fols. 36 – 37 [draft]

Yo^r extreamely kind & most obliging L[ett]re from Geneva y^e 23. passt O.S. was long upon y^e way, yet found me at last in this solitary place, where I have almost lost y^e sight of y^e world & y^e world of me; But yet I can[n]ot quit y^e onely satisfaction of Life, w^ch is y^e seeing & hearing from a few valuable friends, among whome yo^r own goodnesse & merit has plac'd you in y^e cheif rank. When I think of you, I can[no]t but rememb^r you with a sigh, & lament to see it gen[era]lly so fall out that whilst we are afflicted by y^e dayly company o[f] those we could very well spare, those whom we love & esteem & y^t would contribute to...