Mr. Walpole has friendship, and keeps his word; I wish he were our friend's friend, or had ever promised him any thing.

You seem inquisitive of what passed when Lord Peterborough spirited him hither, without any suspicion of mine. Nothing extraordinary, for the most extraordinary men are nothing before their masters; and nothing, but that Mr. Walpole swore by G-D, Mrs. Howard should have the grounds she wanted from V-n. Nothing would be more extraordinary, except a statesman made good his promise or oath, as very probably he will. If I have any other very extraordinary thing to tell you, it is this, that I have never since returned Sir R. W.'s visit. The truth is, I have nothing to ask of him; and I believe he knows that nobody follows him for nothing. Besides, I have been very sick, and sickness (let me tell you) makes one above a minister, who cannot cure a fit of a fever or ague. Let me also tell you, that no man who is lame, and cannot stir, will wait upon the greatest man upon earth; and lame I was, and still am, by an accident which it will be time enough to tell you when we meet, for I hope it will be suddenly. Adieu, dear Sir, and believe me a true well-wisher to all yours, and ever your faithful, affectionate servant, A. POPE.

LETTER X.

DEAR SIR,

I HAVE been twice or thrice at your door, but found it locked, and was told since you were gone into the country, which (till I met your man this morning) I took to be Devonshire. 1 rejoice at your being still among us, as at a friend's being alive, whom one had thought departed. I very earnestly desire you to spend a day or two at Twitnam; I shall be there to-night, for some days. Pray do not deny that favour to

Your faithful, obliged, affectionate servant.

Saturday. Gay is, and will be at Chiswick.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XI.

Friday Morning.

I was the other day in town, but could not find you at any hour of it, except at night, when I could not be disengaged. I have got Gay with me here, to pass two or three days; we are quite alone and uninterrupted. If you can come to us on Saturday, and stay Sunday, it will be highly delightful to us both, and Gay will return with you. I am so much better in health here than in town, that I think to pass my time almost entirely at home, for the remainder of the winter. I shall be much pleased if I find myself so much remem

bered by two or three (which is the most I either hope or wish) of my friends, as to be visited by them now and then; and, as I have experimentally known you to be one of those, I beg you to continue thus mindful of him, who will always be so of you. Your true friend and affectionate servant.

I received your inclosed some days since. If his information be right, I think him honest in his profession, industrious, and able; besides which, he will work cheap.

DEAR SIR,

I

LETTER XII.

Twitnam, Sept. 6.

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

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 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. I am ever, dear Sir,

Your truly affectionate and faithful friend.

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?

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XIII.

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 you, in hopes to fix an hour for us to meet and chat, not upon business, but joy and society. To-day, I believe, I must go to Twitnam, to get rid of a violent cold: in the mean time I beg you to draw up a draught of an article on the enclosed head, between Mr. L. and me, and to speak to him to give you his former agreement for the Iliad, which will help the wording of some part better

than this scroll. The purport, however, of this is clear. I am ever, dear Sir,

Your most faithful, affectionate servant.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XIV.

MRS. Howard will be glad to see you either Thursday or Friday, which suits your conveniency; but it must be at the hour of eleven (as I fancied before), and not sooner. I should be glad to have you in your whole self, (i. e. your family and posterity), dine here that day, and will not meet you, therefore, at Richmond, where you would be alone with her, but attend the ladies here at any hour you will direct. I thank you for your last kind visit, and am sincerely, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and obliged servant.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XV.

I AM SO ill to-day with the head-ache and wind, that I am utterly incapable of company or supping, or even conversing with any comfort. I must lie in an arm-chair till bed-time, and the motion of a chair makes me quite sick.

to be now twice disappointed of you.

I am sorry

I will come

to-morrow afternoon or night, and take my chance.

I am ever truly

Yours.