why can't you lie at Twitnam Saturday night? I want to ask and tell you many things,-some of business. I hope Mr. C -s has got the remainder of Mrs. Blount's debt from her brother, the whole 751. which she has occasion enough for. Adieu! and know me for To Mr. Fortescue. Yours ever faithfully, A. POPE. LETTER XIII. DEAR SIR, Thursday. I AM heartily glad to hear of your safe arrival in town, and doubt not you will be pleased that I am as safe at Twitnam. I came from Bath two days since hither, and find my mother tolerably well, as I hope left all yours. you I should be glad to see you in town, but having been so long absent, have some necessary matters here for a few days, which I would pursue, if you could find it suitable to your convenience to lie here on Saturday, and pass the Sunday together, otherwise I will wait on you. In the mean time, pray convey this letter to Mr. Howard, it is a case that requires dispatch, as you will see: and I beg, if you can, to favour it with any of the Board of Admiralty that you know, for I am convinced that he is ill used. Adieu! dear Sir, till we meet. Pray give me a line by Boury. I have a thousand things to say to you. Your ever affectionate servant, A. POPE. To Wm. Fortescue, Esq. Member of Parliament, at his house in Bell-yard, near Lincoln's Inn DEAR SIR, LETTER XIV. I HAVE just received a note from Mrs. Blount, that she and Lady Gerard will dine here to-day, which puts off my intention on Lord Hay. I wish you would dine with them, and we may go to Lord Hay's in the evening. But this, you see, hinders my being wholly at your service till to-morrow, when I will certainly be so at any place or time. Yours affectionately ever, To Wm. Fortescue, Esq. A. POPE. DEAR SIR, LETTER XV. LADY Gerard was to see Chiswick gardens (as I imagined), and therefore forced to go from hence by five: it was a mortification to Mrs. Blount to go, when there was a hope of seeing you and Mrs. Fortescue. I can't get back to-night for want of a vehicle, but will be at home by eleven or twelve by water, ready to go with you to Jervas, unless you all care to come and see Chiswick in the morning by ten, which if you do not, I will set out on my voyage. Adieu! dear Sir. To Mr. Fortescue. LETTER XVI. DEAR SIR, Sunday, six o'clock.. I HAVE often wished, but twice only been, to see you. After an engagement of four or five days to a particular friend (for whom I was confined entirely), I now beg the first days I have had to myself, that you will pass what time you can with us at Twitnam. I received a promise from Gay to be with us. I go home to-morrow evening, to stay all the week. Gay and I have been all about the Temple after you in vain. I wish you would sacrifice a few days to me, who am as sincerely (I faithfully assure you) as any man living, dear Sir, Yours, most affectionately, To Wm. Fortescue, Esq. A. POPE. LETTER XVII. DEAR SIR, Twitnam, Sept. 6th. I CANNOT express the joy your letter gives me. I was in great fears after I had written, learning no further of your state, when I sent three days to Mr. Thory. Your giving me these lines under your hand is a kindness I shall long remember. I hope in God your recovery increases as fast as I really wish it; one of my great apprehensions was, you might not have a skilful physician in a distant country place, of which you have eased me; I hope you keep him near, or with you. I desire earnestly to hear of you soon again, though I hope the danger of a relapse is over; but surely you must not hazard cold, by too quick a removal. Without pretences I am, and have been so long and so sincerely your friend, that this alarm was a lively and deep-felt one to me; God forbid it should ever be renewed: I may now have spirits enough to quote Homer to you, who 66 says, a friend is better than a kinsman." Your sister, I hope, is well; and as she ought to receive no harm from so virtuous an enterprize, so I trust she will have her reward complete in seeing you perfectly restored. am ever, dear Sir, Your truly affectionate and faithful friend, I A. POPE. Is there any thing at this distance that I can procure for you, or any corroborative advice that I can get for you from any of our physicians, or any business I could ease you the care of, or any thing you would have said or done? To Wm. Fortescue, Esq. at Buckland Filleigh. LETTER XVIII. DEAR SIR, Sunday Night. SINCE I left you, I am informed Curl has served a process upon Cooper (the publisher of the Letters which I told you I connived at, who entered them in the hall book), for what I know not, only I am told he put an advertisement into a newspaper against Curl. I bid him send you the process, that you may judge what is to be done in it. If any thing be necessary, pray acquaint me. I send Mrs. Blount's receipt, as you ordered. God prosper you, protect you, bless you, as I love you, and shall ever do. Dear Sir, write me a line of your health. To. Mr. Fortescue. A. POPE. VOL. VIII. D D DEAR SIR, LETTER XIX. I QUITE forgot, in the place of business, where I last saw you, to mention a commission of Lady Walpole's, that you will not forget her laver. I shall readily speak to Chiseldon what you desire, and to St. Andre, if you will; the others I have not the least knowledge of: I will put Mrs. Howard also in mind of it: that lady is now better; she has been in some danger of a fever, and in extreme pain, since you saw her on Sunday; she has hitherto kept her bed since that day. I will see her as soon as I can. If Dr. Arbuthnot knows Mr. Boucher, I will speak to him on his return to town; or in any thing, any way in my power, do my utmost that you can suggest being, with lasting truth, and all good wishes for you and yours, Ever your affectionate friend, A. POPE. Pray leave me a memorandum where Mr. Cis to be found, and give him all directions needful. I heartily wish you health, and a good journey. Sit tibi cura mei. Sit tibi cura tui. To Wm. Fortescue, Esq. DEAR SIR, LETTER XX. I AM renewing my old labour of employing you one way or other to your trouble, the moment you are got to town. I sent yesterday all about after |