To Elizabeth Montagu from Aberdeen Worries about France. Previously unknown for civilised nation to become barbarous. But they were never truly civilised, and when aristocracy whom they imitated was abolished, true character of Frenchmen appeared. Beattie's faith in parliament. Mostly quiet in the north, but Dundee most inclined to turbulence. A tree of Liberty planted. People misled by Thomas Paine's silly books, of which one shop has sold a thousand copies. Second volume of Elements has been at printers since the summer, but unlikey to appear before April. He wishes he had kept the political part for longer. However, he has done his best to make others think , as he does, that British constitution is the best in the world. He has talked more of slave-trade than some would think he should in book of Elements. 10 January 1793