night, this Michaelmas; and the hurry I am at present in, with preparing to be idle, (a common case,) makes it difficult for me to continue this Letter, though I truly defire to fay many things to you. Homer is advanced to the eighth book, I mean printed fo far. My gardens improve more than my writings; my head is still more upon Mrs. Hd. and her works, than upon my own. Adieu! God bless you; an ancient and Chriftian, therefore an unmodifh and unusual falutation. I am ever, fincerely and affectionately, I HAD no fooner received your kind Letter, with the ill news of your being feized with the gout, at Buckland, but your clerk acquainted me that you were extremely ill, which gives me unexpreffible concern. My fears of your being distant from your family, and what help by phyficians may be to be procured in a lone country, do fincerely much trouble me. I beg to know by the first opportunity, by a line either from yourfelf, or any other hand, how you are; and that you are not in fo much danger as I apprehended. I will add no more words, fince none can tell you how much I am in pain about you, and fince 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, To Wm. Fortefeue, Efq. to be left at his House, in Bell yard, near Lincoln's Inn, London.-Speed. Yours, A. POPE, LETTER XXVIII. DEAR SIR, MRS. day or Friday, which fuits your conveniency; but it must be at the hour of eleven (as I fancied before), and not fooner. I should be glad to have you in your whole felf, (i. e. your family and pofterity,) 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 fincerely, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend and obliged fervant, To Wm. Fortefcue, Efq. at his Houfe, in Bell-yard, near Lincoln's Inn, London. LETTER XXIX. A. POPE. DEAR SIR, I AM fo ill to-day with the head-ach and wind, that I am utterly incapable of company or fupping, or even converfing with any comfort. I must lie in an arm-chair til bed-time, and the motion of a chair makes me quite fick. I am forry to be now twice disappointed of you. I will come to-morrow afternoon or night, and take my chance. I am ever truly To Wm, Fortefcue, Efq. in Bell-yard. Yours, A. POPE. DEAR SIR, LETTER XXX. Twitnam, Feb. 22. I AM very much pleased that poor Barclay's fcruples are removed, and will be gratefully and honestly your paymaster for what you expend on his account. You know the Scripture fays," he that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord." I heartily thank you for remembering me as to the efcalops, which are in perfection, and will be responsible to you for them when we meet next, which I beg may be as foon as poffible. I have seen our friend Dr. Arbuthnot spend some hours in writing directions for us against the plague, which, when finished, I will take care to communicate to you. I am, most faithfully and affectionately, dear Sir, Yours, A. POPE. Your purfe is left with the Doctor's man for you. My mother is better, and your fervant. To Wm. Fortescue, Efq. at his Chambers, in Harcourt-Buildings, in the Inner Temple. I W DEAR SIR, LETTER XXXI. Thursday. WAS one day in town, but could not find you in the evening. I have been ill, but nothing would make me better than the fight of a friend. Several of mine are ill also: I hope you will hold up to comfort me. I must beg you to inform me carefully, and to bid your clerk also mind it, whenever Mr. Roberts comes to town (the person whose annuity Mrs. Blount purchased), that she may have his life infured, which, it seems, can't be done but when he is present. This is a very material point to her, and fhe entreats you to give me the first notice. Mr. White told Mr. Bethel he would be in town foon. I muft alfo defire you to let me have a copy from Mr. C―s, of Abbot's account, what monies he paid to Mr. Effington, etc. Next Sunday I am engaged; any other day I am at your service wholly, as I am entirely, dear Sir, and affectionately, your friend, To Wm. Fortefcue, Efq. in Bell-yard, near Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. A. POPE. |