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DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXVIII.

March 18, 1732.

I AM Sorry you partook of the trouble of the Excise Bill; and as sorry I did not know of your coming, though but for two days, for I would have come up just to see you. It had been very kind, if you could have lain here in your way; but this is past, and may all the future be prosperous with you as I wish it! As to that poem, which I do not, and must not, own, I beg your absolute and inviolable silence.* You will see more of it in another week, and that too I shall keep private. It is so far from a mortification to do any good thing, (if this be so, and indeed I mean it so), and enjoy only one's own consciousness of it, that I think it the highest gratification. On the contrary, the worst things I do, are such as I would constantly own, and stand the censure of. It is an honest proceeding, and worthy a guiltless man. You You may be certain I shall never reply to such a libel as Lady Mary's. It is a pleasure and comfort at once to find, that with so much mind as so much malice must have to accuse or blacken my character, it can fix upon no one ill or immoral thing in my life, and must content itself to say, my poetry is dull, and my person ugly. I wish you would take an opportunity to represent to the person who spoke to you about that lady, that

* The first part of the Essay on Man.
+ Probably Sir Robert Walpole.

her conduct no ways deserves encouragement from him, or any other great persons; and that the good name of a private subject ought to be as sacred, even to the highest, as his behaviour towards them is irreproachable, legal, and respectful. What you writ of his intimation on that head, shall never pass my lips.

Mrs. Bl is your faithful servant, and much obliged to your care. My mother, I thank God, is free and easy. I never had better health than of late, and hope I shall have long life, because I am much threatened. Adieu! and know me ever for, dear Sir,

Your most sincerely affectionate servant.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXIX.

I FIRST thank

you for

your kind visit, and

hope you are not the worse for the cold day. I find by the inclosed that there must be more money somewhere to be found of my sister's affair; for the principal sum was 1,7007. beside interest: and, as I understand no part of the principal ever was paid, I therefore beg you to cause inquiry to be speedily made of Mr. Thurston, the master in chancery. Pray, ought you not to require a sight of Essington's books themselves, where the account was kept, if his extract prove not satisfactory? The question my sister asks about one Abbot I cannot answer, unless you find it in the

writings and papers she sent you. I have troubled you with the parcel for New England. For all your kindnesses I thank you cordially, and am, with sincere esteem,

Your faithful friend and servant.

My mother is rather worse than better.

LETTER XXX.

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 you left all yours. 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 despatch, 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 Bowry. I have a thousand things to say to you.

VOL. IX.

Your ever affectionate servant.

2 c

LETTER XXXI.

DEAR SIR,

Wednesday.

THE very melancholy situation I have been in, from the very day you begun the journey to Devonshire, made me not willing to break the en

joyment and peace of your domestic satisfactions in your family there; and poor Mr. Gay's great danger added to my concern. My mother still keeps her bed, and, I fear, is very unlikely to rise again the distemper, which probably will finish all her decays, holds upon her, and does not yield to any remedies; the most is an interval from pain into weakness and slumbers. God knows when I shall see you or any body; in the mean time I thank you for many offices of your friendship, and beg you will continue to assist my sister's affairs: I presume Essington is now in town, and would send you his account, if demanded. Mrs. Blount has charged me with many speeches to be made you upon your care in her annuity. But I am unable to say, or almost do any thing, my own spirits are so sunk. I wish you sincerely joy of what I am told is given you, and shall always make it my wish to heaven for you. Det vitam, det opes, æquam animam tibi ipse parabis.

Your very faithful servant.

Pray make my compliments to Mr. Horace Walpole, whom I would have waited on with my thanks, but for this confinement on account of my mother.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XXXII.

Sunday, Feb. 1732-3.

HAD written to you before, as well as sent; had I not hoped this day or last night, to have seen you here. I am sorry for your complaints of ill health, and particularly of your eyes; pray be very careful not to increase your cold. I will infallibly, if I cannot see you sooner, be with you in the middle of the week. I am at all times desirous to meet you, and have this winter been often dissatisfied to do it so seldom. I wish you a judge, that you may sleep and be quiet; ut in otia tuta recedas, but otium cum dignitate. Have you seen my imitation of Horace? I fancy it will make you smile; but though, when first I began it, I thought of you, before I came to end it, I considered it might be too ludicrous, to a man of your situation and grave acquaintance, to make you Trebatius, who was yet one of the most considerable lawyers of his time, and a particular friend of a poet. In both which circumstances I rejoice that you resemble him, but am chiefly pleased that you do it in the latter.

Dear Sir, adieu! and love me as I do you,

Your faithful and affectionate servant.

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