will owe something to Mr. Mallet, in not only restoring you a son as good as he carried him out (which few tutors do), but in a great degree making and building up, as well as strengthening and improving, what is the greatest work man or woman ought to be proud of, a worthy mind and sound body. May the just occasion of so much pride and pleasure to you, ever continue! Nothing on earth better than this can be wished you by, &c. LETTER XVIII. DEAR MADAM, TO MRS. NUGENT. Saturday, Oct. 30, 1736. AFTER hoping to be able to dine with you this day, my very uneasy indisposition of cholic and head-ache rendered it impracticable: and it has continued in such a manner all this day too, that I find I must never attempt to dine so late as a fashionable hour. I really dread the consequences of doing it at Marble-Hill;* when you set out thence after twelve, it will be three before you can be there, and four before they will dine. I can, therefore, upon serious consideration, no more propose any enjoyment in waiting on you on Monday; but rather will meet you at Lady Suffolk's that day or the next, and go home in the mean time as I can, dreading a fresh cold. You see what an unable man you have to do with! Well may he call himself a humble, very humble servant. LETTER XIX. MARTHA BLOUNT AND MR. POPE TO MRS. NUGENT. December 10, 1736. I RESOLVE to write to you once before you come to town, though you make ever so much haste, as I think both by inclination and necessity you will; and though I have nothing to say to you but to Mrs. Elliot, and nothing to say to her but about horses. Mr. Noell hears she no longer hires horses of the man she employed last year, therefore begs me to desire he may have her custom again. I hope this petition will operate soon, as I hope her devotion this Christmas will bring her hither, and that you will not be able to stay behind her. Lady Suffolk and Mr. Berkley are well, and in town; the King is expected on Sunday. Though there is so little in this letter, you will take it not the less kindly, since it contains so great a truth as the assurance of being to you both a faithful and ever mindful servant, M. BLOUNT. I HAVE hindered Mrs. B. from making her letter longer, and now find I have as little to say myself. But about Christmas time there is great plenty of good wishes sent about the kingdom, and I should be ashamed if Gosfield had not mine. It is a place I have been very happy in, and abounds with plenty, peace, and cheerful countenances. I doubt not at this season all people round it are happy; God forbid any one in it should not! when it is considered that nothing has been done but by his ordination. I am naturally led, from a Christian sentence, to think of Mrs. Elliot, for whose welfare of body and mind I sincerely wish, not to say pray. I hope, as Mrs. B. does, that the motive she mentions cannot fail to bring her to town, and then you cannot stay long, if at all, behind. Believe, among all those who desire this, none does it more than Your, &c. |