upon which the Italian is now at work. I will not forget thofe cautions about the forehead, hair, etc. which we obferved when we met on that occafion. You know that I have enough of yours in my hands, to answer the Statuary's demands for the future. I have made the Latin Infcription as full, and yet as fhort, as I poffibly could. It vexes me to reflect how little I muft fay, and how far fhort all I can say is, of what I believe, and feel, on that subject; like true lovers' expreffions, that vex the heart from whence they come, to find how cold and faint they must seem to others, in comparison of what infpires them inwardly in themfelves: The heart glows, while the tongue faulters. Ifhall try my intereft with Mr. Nicols, in behalf of the young gentleman, who is fo much a part of you. I had once an intereft with him and (because he is a good man) I will believe I have it ftill, for the same cause that I have fome with you: One whom he loved and refpected, happened to love me, though now removed from us for ever! That will be a reason with grateful and reflecting minds, to devolve benevolencies, and continue good wishes, from generation to genera

tion.

I am, etc.

Oxford. Lord Orford thinks his tomb of Mr. Craggs in Weftmiufter Abbey is graceful and fimple, but that it shows Guelphi was a very indifferent fculptor. We are forry to add that it has fuffered, in common with fome of the fineft fpecimens of art in the Abbey, by the wantonnefs of certain vifitors.

C.

MADAM,

γου

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

Twitenham, July 9th.

ou would have had a very free companion and correspondent of me, and have inherited that open and unreserved behaviour, which I both learned from your brother, and practised to him: But the day that you passed at Twitnam, you did a thing that took away all my liberty, and made me a much less eafy acquaintance than I hoped to have been to you. Methinks this period looks like a love-letter, to tell a lady fhe has taken away my liberty: But you'll understand it in a more serious sense: and I affure you, I am, instead of your friend, fo much your enemy for this, that I will live to be revenged of you. And in the mean time (like one that is very much intent upon revenge), I will fay not a word more about it, but feem entirely to forget it.

The Italian sculptor has not yet finished his clay model. Indeed, it is a vast disadvantage as to the likeness, not to be able to see the life. What would not you and I give that that were poffible? But at last, by comparing the two other pictures and the print, (toge. ther with my own memory of the features of that friend who had often looked fo kindly upon me,) he has brought

8

you: whom one fort of favours may make happier; though the other, of friendliness and good-will, I covet from you, and would not give a grain of as much as you allow me from myfelf. I have met with an object of extreme charity, to whom I will venture to give fome of the money you have left in my hands whofe story I will take another time to tell you, and only now fay, that if your brother had lived, fhe would not have wanted relief. I have paid but as far yet as 60l. to the Statuary: the model I begin to be fatisfied with, and he is to proceed upon the Statue forthwith. You are very just to me in your thoughts of that affection that will prompt me in every thing relating to him. But I must also think you are very kind in them: In this age, Juftice is Kindness. Yet I doubt not your mind is of a better fort, as his was, and forward to judge favourably of fuch, as on any account deserve regard or belief. I shall use no ceremonial with you, on no occafion, but take you for what you are pleased to profefs yourself toward me and only affure you fhall think, (if ever I found myself tempted to be too complaifant, or in the leaft degree infincere to you,) that I am offending the remains of the fincerest man I ever knew in the world, and growing ungrateful to him after his death.

Believe me therefore, Madam, fenfible of the obligation of being thought well of, and yet more fenfible of that which occafioned your good opinion, your tenderness for him, and your acquiefcence in his judgment,

I

have for your favour to me, that you cannot correspond with one more his admirer, his lover, and deplorer, than,

Madam, etc.

My humble services to Mr. Newfham *. My Mother begs your acceptance of hers.

MADAM,

LETTER IV.

TO THE SAME.

Twitenham, Aug. 8.

I

SHOULD not tell you I have been fo difagreeably employed as in taking care of my own health, (which too much fickriefs makes me value more than otherwife I would,) if I did not really believe you intend to have fome concern about ine, and that therefore I owe you fome apology for writing no fooner, to one who wishes me fo well. I have no answer to make to one part of yours, but that your manner of doing things does not (nor did in the inftance I mentioned) displease me, it is fo like your own brother's manners, and nothing like him can ever displease me. But, you will yet more oblige me, if you will let me ufe you as I did him, and transfer a part of the favours you defigned me, to the benefit of fome objects I may recommend to

you:

* As these letters have no dates, it is uncertain whether this was the husband, or the fon, of Pope's correfpondent. . C.

you: whom one fort of favours may make happier; though the other, of friendliness and good-will, I covet from you, and would not give a grain of as much as you allow me from myself. I have met with an object of extreme charity, to whom I will venture to give fome of the money you have left in my hands whofe story I will take another time to tell you, and only now fay, that if your brother had lived, fhe would not have wanted relief. I have paid but as far yet as 60l. to the Statuary: the model I begin to be fatisfied with, and he is to proceed upon the Statue forthwith. You are very just to me in your thoughts of that affection that will prompt me in every thing relating to him. But I must also think you are very kind in them: In this age, Juftice is Kindness. Yet I doubt not your mind is of a better fort, as his was, and forward to judge favourably of fuch, as on any account deferve regard or belief. I fhall ufe no ceremonial with you, on no occafion, but take you for what you are pleafed to profess yourself toward me and only affure you I fhall think, (if ever I found myself tempted to be too complaifant, or in the leaft degree infincere to you,) that I am offending the remains of the fincereft man I ever knew in the world, and growing ungrateful to him after his death.

Believe me therefore, Madam, fenfible of the obligation of being thought well of, and yet more fenfible of that which occafioned your good opinion, your tenderness for him, and your acquiefcence in his judgment,