that is to fay, without any ceremony, I am (I fay)

before the Lord, Ladies,

Your most faithful,

infignificant, humble fervant.

I

MADAM,

LETTER XXVI.

TO MARTHA BLOUNT.

Friday, 3d of June.

DARE not pretend to inftruct a Lady when to take any thing kindly. Their own hearts are always the best directors. But if I might, I would tell you, that if ever I could have any merit with you, it is in writing to you at a time when I am studying to forget every creature I ever loved or esteemed; when I am concerned for nothing in the world, but the life of one or two who are to be impeached, and the health of a Lady that has been fick; when I am to be entertained only with that jade whom every body thinks I love as a mistrefs, but whom in reality I hate as a wife, my Mufe. Pity me, Madam, who am to lie in of a poetical child for at least two months. As foon as I am up again, I'll wait upon you; but in the mean time I beg to hear if you are quite recovered from your ague, the only thing I defire to hear from any one in my prefent state of oblivion.

Not

Not that I am fo vain as to expect a favour from your hands, which I never yet received; I do not say, never merited to receive; for I know both how little, and how much I deferve at your hands, though it is impoffible you should. But if you will fend those books of mine, which you are weary of, by one of your servants, he may at the fame time inform me of your health. He may add to my fatisfaction, by acquainting me of that of Mr. Blount, Mrs. Blount, and your fair fifter. This Letter may very poffibly be the only thing that hinders you from a total forgetfulnefs of me. I would to God I could as eafily forget Maple-Durham is within ten miles of me. I am just in the condition of the poor people in purgatory: Heaven is in fight, and the pain of lofs the greatest I endure. I hope to be happy in a little time, and live in that hope.

Your's and Mrs. Terefa's

moft obedient, faithful fervant.

I defire Mr. Blount not to fend for his first volume of Homer to London. I fhall have one for him on a better paper than ordinary, by Thursday next.

that is to fay, without any ceremony,

before the Lord, Ladies,

Your most faithful,

infignificant, h

I

LETTER XXV

TO MARTHA BLOU

MADAM,

DARE not pretend to inftruct a La any thing kindly. Their own he the best directors. But if I might, I. that if ever I could have any merit wi writing to you at a time when I am stu every creature I ever loved or esteeme concerned for nothing in the world, 1 one or two who are to be impeached, . of a Lady that has been fick; when I tained only with that jade whom every love as a mistress, but whom in reality wife, my Mufe. Pity me, Madam, v in of a poetical child for at least two foon as I am up again, I'll wait upon you mean time I beg to hear if you are qu from your ague,—the only thing I defire any one in my prefent ftate of oblivion.

vou fhould imagine I thought you had hing amifs; when the Letter I fent you explained my meaning. I think that is unreasonable I fhould trouble

you fo .nd I can't think you fo much a woman, I should continue to act unreasonably, I have done fo too long already.

upon you before noon; and am very ly what I profefs myself, Madam, ir most faithful friend,

and fincere humble fervant.

LETTER XXVII.

TO THE SAME.

London, Tuesday.

I

AM very glad I did not defer feeing Mr. Bethel. I found him last night fo bad, and panting for breath, that I can scarce imagine he ever will recover.

Yet

this morning he is quite another man, and fo much mended, that it is fcarce conceivable he is the fame perfon. So it seems it is with him, but much worse in town than on the road. It was impoffible to get him to Twitnam: he ftays but one day more, and fets out on Thursday morning. I wish to God you could borrow Lady A's chariot to-morrow,' just to look at him in the morning, and return to her to dinner. He lodges next door to Lord Shelburne's. He does not expect this; but I think it would be a fatisfaction to your own mind, and perhaps we shall never see him more. God's will must be obeyed; but I am exceffively wounded by it. Adieu.