LETTER XI.

TO THE SAME.

Thursday, in the Morning,

THERE has arifen fuch a tempest to-night, and in the morning is fo blustering, that I think it unreasonable to tax Mrs. Knight's good-nature at fuch a rate, as to expect her here to-day. If fhe were one of those fine ladies who goes no where but for her own fake, and for her own dear amusements, and visits those whom he would hang in her paffion, or beggar in her play; why then I fhould not be forry to fee her foufed and mortified one wet day in the country for it. But as the intends to please me, and as I gratefully with her to be pleased, I will not expect her if the weather does not perfectly change, fo as you may be here before one o'clock: and pray name any day whatever else (after to-morrow, on which I am indifpenfably engaged). Nevertheless, as for you, Sir, if you fear neither wind, nor thunder, nor ftorm, according to your wonted alacrity, come on horfeback forthwith, and appoint your other day yourself in person. I am very truly Mrs. Knight's, and, dear Sir, Your, etc.

I

WAS unlucky not to be able to find

you

the only

day I have been in town: and the season now keeps me to the country, where all the business I have in the world is to be. I was, if I could have feen you, to have informed you of fome curiofities (as I know you to like things of that nature) in fhells, corals, and mineral ores, and congelations, which, I'm told, are very beautiful, and to be had at a very reasonable rate. I heard of them by chance: they belong to one Mrs. Dering, who brought them from the Indies, and lives at Mrs. Le Grand's. If you care to fee them, Mrs. Patty Blount will wait upon you thither, and be glad of the opportunity of becoming better acquainted with you. I faid fomething from you to her, which I have forgot, and was to fay fomething from her to you fince, which I have also forgot; but you may take my word it was very civil, very reasonable, and very well intended. I hope you will meet fome way or other upon better terms than filly civilities (as you defired, I know, to do): if you don't meet at your own houses, let it be at mine. Pray acquaint me how

*

foon

* Pope was generally anxious to introduce this lady among his friends. Terefa is never mentioned in this way.

C.

foon you can do me the favour you promised of a day! Affure Mr. Knight of my hearty services, and believe me fincerely, Madam,

MADAM,

LETTER XIII.

TO THE SAME*.

Your, etc.

Southampton, Aug. 5, 1734.

IF I did not know you must take it for granted that I

am always mindful of you, I should have been earlier in telling you fuch a piece of news. But the truth is, that all I ever think letters good for, is to convey to those who love one another the news of their welfare, and the knowledge that they continue in each other's memory. The first of thefe I heard by inquiries in London, which have been transmitted to me; and the laft, I think fo well both of you and myself, as to think unneceffary. I was very certain Mrs. Elliot's company would be an equivalent to you for all you could leave in town, and yours would be fo to her. Indeed, I had a wifh to make you a fhort vifit by furprize, and fee this with my own eyes; but the account given me at Stowe (where I had but one week to stay, and given me after I had been half

Mrs. Knight was now a fecond time a widow.

jumbled

C.

jumbled to death, and just before I was to be jumbled again in the abominable stoney roads thereabouts) gave me a terror I could not overcome; especially when, chancing to fee a clergyman who lives by you, and whose name I have forgot, he told me the way was farther and worse than ever my fears had imagined. I have been but in a poor state of health, ever fince I fet out from home; and can scarce fay I have found reft till (where you would least expect it) under my Lord Peterborow. This place is beautiful beyond imagination, and as easy as it is beautiful. I wish you and Mrs. Elliot faw it. Here is a very good Catholic lady in the house, and she and I might pray together for you. One motive, which perhaps may one time or other draw you, is, that the Duchess of Montague is within ten miles of us, at Bewley, which, I'm told, is a fine fituation on the fea, and I fhall fee it to-morrow: Lord Peterborow carries me thither. I had the fatisfaction to hear this week from Mrs. Patty Blount, that you were well. She is got into Surrey to another Papist lady, and stays fome time with her. I defign to fteer towards London before the end of this month. We expect here Mr. and Mrs. Poyntz. What can I fay to you? 1 with you very happy. I wish Mr. Newfham all that you wish him to have, and to be. Where is he, and Mr. Mallet? When fhall you return to town? I defire you to be very kind to me, and very just to me; that is, to let me know you continue well, now, when I can no other way be fure.

of

of it, than by a line hither; and to believe me fincerely ever, with all efteem, Madam,

Your, etc.

I think I need not fend Mrs. E. my services, for they will do her no good; but defire her prayers, which may do me fome.

LETTER XIV.

TO THE SAME.

DEAR MADAM,

IDLE

Sept. 1, 1734.

LE as I am, no opportunity can offer that puts me in mind of you, but I comply with that mind, which is always yours. It therefore muft tell you, by this gentleman, how much I think of you; and that, if the body belonging to this mind were worth one farthing, it would follow it, and to fee go But you. those wretched infirmities, which fet it forward toward the bleffings of another life, keep it back from doing what it likes in this. I am next week going from Southampton to London, where I fhall impatiently expect you. I fancy you'll be as impatient to be in London, especially if Mrs. Elliot be not with you. I had the most entertaining letter imaginable from Mr. Mallet, from Wales. I fent it to our friend Patty;

and