The General talked of languages being formed on the particular notions and manners of a people, without knowing which, we cannot know the language. The General asked him what he thought of the spirit of infidelity which was so prevalent. Why, Sir, if they bestow no more thought on principles than on dress, it must be so. Men who have no opportunities of shewing it as to things in this life, take death and futurity as objects on which to display it. That is mighty foolish affectation.
Fear is one of the passions of human nature, of which it is impossible to divest it.
The General immediately informed him that the lingua rustica was only in Sardinia. He denied that military men were always the best bred men.