can be able to do till I see you. For, in very deed, Ladies, I love you both, very sincerely and passionately, though not so romantically (perhaps) as such as you may expect, who have been used to receive more complimental letters and high flights from your own sex, than ever I am like to reach to. In earnest, I know no two things I would change you for, this hot weather, except two good melons. I have hitherto been detained here by a doctor of divinity, whom I am labouring to convert from the Protestant religion; and in two days I must be at Hampton-court, and (for all I know) at London. Upon my return, Mr. Harcourt has promised me to be here; after which, I will try if will admit me. I am without any more nonsense than I was born to ; that is to say, without any ceremony, I am, (I say) before the Lord, Ladies, Your most faithful, you insignificant, humble servant. MADAM, LETTER XXVI. TO MARTHA BLOUNT. Friday, 3d of June. I DARE not pretend to instruct 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 sick; when I am to be entertained only with that jade whom every body thinks I love as a mistress, but whom in reality I hate as a wife,—my muse. Pity me, Madam, who am to lie-in of a poetical child for at least two months. As soon 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 desire to hear from any one in my present state of oblivion. Not that I am so 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 deserve at your hands, though it is impossible you should. But if you will send those books of mine, which you are weary of, by one of your servants, he may at the same time inform me of your health. He may add to my satisfaction, by acquainting me of that of Mr. Blount, Mrs. Blount, and your fair sister. This letter may very possibly be the only thing that hinders you from a total forgetfulness of me. I would to God I could as easily forget Maple-Durham is within ten miles of me. just in the condition of the poor people in purgatory: heaven is in sight, and the pain of loss the greatest I endure. I hope to be happy in a little time, and live in that hope. Your's and Mrs. Teresa's I am most obedient, faithful servant. I desire Mr. Blount not to send for his first volume of Homer to London. I shall have one for him on a better paper than ordinary, by Thursday next. LETTER XXVII. TO THE SAME. London, Tuesday. I AM very glad I did not defer seeing Mr. Bethel. I found him last night so bad, and panting for breath, that I can scarce imagine he ever will recover. Yet this morning he is quite another man, and so much mended, that it is scarce conceivable he is the same person. So it seems it is with him, but much worse in town than on the road. It was impossible to get him to Twitnam : he stays but one day more, and sets 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 satisfaction to your own mind, and perhaps we shall never see him more. God's will must be obeyed; but I am excessively wounded by it. Adieu. MADAM, LETTER XXVIII. TO TERESA BLOUNT. I WONDER you should imagine I thought you had done any thing amiss; when the letter I sent you last so fully explained my meaning. I think that shews you it is unreasonable I should trouble you so frequently; and I can't think you so much a woman, as to expect I should continue to act unreasonably, only because I have done so too long already. I will wait upon you before noon; and am very truly and honestly what I profess myself, Madam, Your most faithful friend, and sincere humble servant.. LETTER XXIX. TO THE SAME. Chiswick, 4 o'clock, Tuesday, DEAR MADAM, 'TIS really a great concern to me, that you mistook me so much this morning. I have sincerely an extreme esteem for you; and, as you know I am distracted in one respect, for God's sake don't judge and try me by the methods of unreasonable people. Upon the faith of a man who thinks himself not dishonest, I meant no disrespect to you. I have been ever since so troubled at it, that I could not help writing the minute I got home. Believe me, much more than I am my own, Yours. LETTER XXX. DEAR MADAM, TO THE SAME. I SEND you your book, and have not forgot to give commission about the lavender. I find I shall stay a little longer than I intended, my mother being so much mended by change of air, both as to her cough and her spirits, that she will meet me at Oxford, where she will see the place, and return with me. I could be glad to know certainly, whether you will have the coach I bought, or not? that I may either dispose of it, or keep it acccordingly. If your objection be to the standing, or care of it, this Summer, you shall not be troubled with any thought of it till Winter. Upon this, and all other such occasions, I can say but just this,-Either you would have me your friend, or you would not. If you would, why do you refuse any service I can do you? If you would not, why do you ever receive any? I have nothing to add, but to wish you all happiness, and to assure you I am, etc. LETTER XXXI. TO MARTHA BLOUNT. MADAM, THIS is purely to give you the satisfaction of know ing, that I have not been unmindful of your affairs, and that I shall omit no occasion of doing what you order me. I find, from those whose judgment I myself most depend upon, that it is thought the South Sea will rather fall than rise, toward the sitting of the parliament; and upon this belief I have myself kept a thousand five hundred pounds lying by me, to buy at such a juncture. The general opinion is, that the parliament will tax the funds; and if So, one may certainly make advantages of money then in one's hands, which will more than answer its lying dead these two months. However, I have given orders to buy 500l. for myself, as soon as South Sea falls to 103, which you shall have if you have a mind to it. It will amount to near six per cent.: and my broker tells me he thinks it will fall to that. |