DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXI.

Twitnam, May 16, (1726).

I SHOULD, without compliment, come to town any day you desired, on any account, as well as on so agreeable an one as you propose; but (which I wonder my communicative waterman never told your people) my mother has been and is extremely ill, and dangerously so, of an intermittent fever, which requires my constant attendance. There is nobody with me but the Dean of St. Patrick's, who would hardly be here if he were not the best-natured and indulgent man I know; it is so melancholy a way of passing his time. I could be glad to see you, if you have a day of leisure, and indeed there are few friends to whom I could make this request. I wish you and yours well and happy in every circumstance of life, and am truly, dear Sir, Yours.

LETTER XXII.

DEAR SIR,

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 Cheselden 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.

Pray leave me a memorandum where Mr. C――s is 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.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXIII.

You see by the inclosed my sister is in an alarm, I suppose, occasioned by a mere mistake of Mr. C's clerk; or by her own too much haste in running to administer before him. I beg you will cause that mistake forthwith to be removed, that she may, without loss of time, proceed with full powers. I must entreat your vigilance as to her great affair, that it may be done with all convenient speed. It seems C-s says there is some difference in the account, as kept by Mr. Racket, and by the other party in the chancery suit. If you please to have a meeting with Mr. Essington, and examine this account of what has been paid into his hands, it will be the

readiest way, and is very necessary. I am glad you had not the mortification of seeing the country this sad and

myself with you.

gloomy day. I heartily wish Adieu! dear Sir. I hope bet

ter luck next Sunday; till then, vive memor nostri; dear Sir, your true friend, and obliged faithful

servant.

My mother sends you her hearty services.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXIV.

August 24, 1730.

kind letter,

I HAD no sooner received your with the ill news of your being seized with the gout, at Buckland, but your clerk acquainted me that you were extremely ill, which gives me unexpressible concern. My fears of your being distant from your family, and what help by physicians may be to be procured in a lone country, do sincerely much trouble me. I beg to know by the first opportunity, by a line either from yourself, or any other hand, how you are; and that you are not in so much danger as I apprehended. I will add no more words, since none can tell you how much I am in pain about you, and since they can only be troublesome to yourself, if you are very ill. But God and my own heart know with what warm affection, and wishes for your recovery, and for your every happiness and comfort, I am ever, dear Sir, Yours.

LETTER XXV.

DEAR SIR,

It is in the utmost hurry I send this, not to omit a post: my mother has had a most unfortunate accident of a fall, which has much bruised her, and almost had burned her, but for a great escape. Mr. Cheselden had no sooner writ me the inclosed (for I sent a letter to his house but just before, as soon as I read yours), but he came hither to assist her. What he further tells me is, that he has the power of putting in four in a year: for the next two he stands indispensably engaged, but will make Mr. Wise the third, which will be in about half a year: he will then certainly serve him. The terms, it seems, are 291. for the course of the hospitals and the anatomy; he assures me he will forward and assist him all he can. Pardon my haste, I am really in great trouble, and she in great pain; God knows the event of such a shock at her years. God prosper you all. Pray write how you continue recovering. Adieu! Yours.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXVI.

MR. Gay and I am here, reading (but not writing) all day long. He is the reverse of you, and hates exercise; nay, I cannot so much as get him into the garden. I employ myself yet a little there, and a little in casting my eye upon the great

heap of fragments and hints before me, for my large and almost boundless work, to remove as much of which as is in any method, out of the rest, is so much clearing the way: therefore it is that I trouble you with so much transcribing. I send the third of the first part, relating to society and government, which I believe Mr. Doves may pick out. And if he has transcribed what last I left with you, pray send it by the bearer. I have no thought of going to town these five days. All health attend you and yours.

Ever your affectionate friend and servant.

Pray send some of your styptic.

DEAR SIR,

I

LETTER XXVII.

Sunday, Six o'Clock.

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.