is a kindness I fhall long remember. I hope in God your recovery increases as fast as I really wifh it; one of my great apprehenfions was, you might not have a skilful physician in a distant country place, of which you have eafed me; I hope you keep him near, or with you. I defire earnestly to hear of you foon again, though I hope the danger of a relapfe is over; but furely you must not hazard cold, by too quick a removal. Without pretences I am, and have been fo long and fo fincerely your friend, that this alarm was a lively and deep-felt one to me; God forbid it fhould ever be renewed: I may now have fpirits enough to quote Homer to you, who fays, "a friend is better than a kinsman." Your fifter, I hope, is well; and as fhe ought to receive no harm from fo virtuous an enterprize, fo I truft fhe will have her reward complete in seeing you perfectly restored. I am ever, dear Sir,

Your truly affectionate and faithful friend,

A. POPE

Is there any thing at this diftance that I can procure for you, or any corroborative advice that I can get for you from any of our physicians, or any bufiness I could ease you the care of, or any thing you would have faid or done?

To Wm. Fortescue, Efq. at

Buckland Filleigh.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XVIII.

Sunday Night.

SINCE I left you, I am informed Curl has served a procefs 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 procefs, that you may judge what is to be done in it. If any thing be neceffary, pray acquaint me. I fend Mrs. Blount's receipt, as you ordered. God profper you, protect you, bless you, as I love you, and fhall ever do. Dear Sir, write me a line of your health.

To Mr. Fortefcue.

A. POPE.

LETTER XIX.

I

DEAR SIR,

QUITE forgot, in the place of business, where I laft faw you, to mention a commiffion of Lady Walpole's, that you will not forget her laver. I fhall readily

readily speak to Chiseldon what you defire, and to St. Andre, if you will; the others I have not the least knowledge of: I will put Mrs. Howard alfo in mind of it: that Lady is now better; fhe has been in fome danger of a fever, and in extreme pain, fince you saw her on Sunday; fhe has hitherto kept her bed fince that day. I will fee her as foon 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 my power, do my utmost that you can fuggeft: being, with lasting truth, and all good wishes for you and yours,

in

Ever your affectionate friend,

A. POPE.

Pray leave me a memorandum where Mr. C

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.

To Wm. Fortefcue, Esq.

I

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XX.

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 fociety. To-day, I be Heve, 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 fome part, better than this fcroll. The purport, however, of this is clear. I am ever, dear Sir,

Your most faithful, affectionate fervant,

To Wm. Fortescue, Efq. in Tom's Coffec

houfe, in Devereux-court, Temple.

A. POPE.

DEAR SIR,

you

LETTER XXI.

ou fee by the inclosed my fifter is in an alarum, I fuppofe occafioned by a mere mistake of Mr. C—————'s clerk; or by her own too much hafte in running to administer before him. I beg you will cause that mistake forthwith to be removed, that the 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 fome difference in the account, as kept by Mr. Racket, and by the other party in the chancery fuit. If you please to have a meeting with Mr. Effington, and examine this account of what has been paid into his hands, it will be the readiest way, and is very neceffary. I am glad you had not the mortification of seeing the country this fad and gloomy day. I heartily with myself with you. Adieu! dear Sir. I hope better luck next Sunday; till then, vive memor noftri, dear Sir,