SIR, LETTER VIII. TO JOHN KNIGHT, ESQ. Stowe, Aug. 23, 1731. THE place from which I write to you will be a proof alone, how incapable I am of forgetting you and your Gosfield for if any thing under Paradise could set me beyond all earthly cogitations, Stowe might do it. It is much more beautiful this year than when I saw it before, and much enlarged, and with variety: yet I shall not stay in it, by a fortnight, so long as I did (with pleasure) with you. You must tell Mrs. Knight she had been spoken of, and her health toasted here; and that Lord Cobham sends his services, with a memorandum to perform her promise of seeing this place. If she keeps it, I do not despair to live (partly by my own exemplary temperance, and partly by the assistance of mother Vincent) to meet you both here another season. I shall yet think it a diminution to my happiness, to miss of half our companions and compotators of syllabub, not to have Mr. Newsham* and his dogs, and his preceptors, and his dearly-beloved cousin, and his mathematics, and his Greek, and his horses. Without a compliment to all, or any of them, I never passed an easier and more agreeable month, in spite of some ill health, and some melancholy, than that of July last. I hope you will long enjoy that tran Mrs. Knight's son, by her first husband. C. quillity and that satisfaction, which you spread over all that is about you. I often wish Mr. Mallet* joy, in my own heart, of his having exchanged such a whining, valetudinary, cloudy, journalier companion, as myself, for the good-humour, and serenity, and indulgence of your family. I am pretty sure he will deserve it all. Mrs. Patty languishes in town, and diets there on fools, in defect of friends. I am sorry to forsake her at such a time; and she is more sorry you live at such a distance. Her sister affirms, nobody of sense can live six miles out of London; and indeed I know nothing that can set her right, but the free use of the cane you bestowed upon me, and which I could wish to bestow upon her. I cannot say my rambles contribute much to my health; yet I take no corporeal medicaments, but wholly apply to remedies of the mind if human philosophy will not do, I must desire Mrs. Elliot to pray for me. My next journey is to Southampton, to my Lord Peterborough; where also I have a Catholic friend, who will take care of my soul; and shall dine with a Jesuit, thrice a week, worth all the priests in Essex, if you except Mr. Tripsack. I desire you all to accept of my faithful services, and to know no man is more mindful of you, than, dear Sir, Your, &c. * He appears to have been tutor to young Newsham. C. SIR, I LETTER IX. TO JOHN KNIGHT, ESQ. HAD very long ago found a day liable to no accident of preventing me from seeing yourself and Mrs. Knight, but for a very tedious series of wretched ill health, that almost renders every day of my life wearisome and vexatious. My mother too has relapsed twice or thrice; and it is so melancholy to her to be quite alone, that I have in a manner kept home entirely. Twice I endeavoured to find you, as I think, since we last met. I wish it now; and, if I am not downright ill, will wait on you both next week. Guelfi sent me a letter this post, to whom I owed an arrear, thinking some things were wanting to be done, particularly to conceal better the joining of the urn. Pray send to him about it, and tell him (it will save me writing, and my head aches extremely), that, as soon as that is done, or if it be already done, I will pay him. Be assured, dear Sir, of our hearty services to yourself and your lady. I am, &c. I hope you have read the book of the Bathos, and the last volume of our Miscellanies. DEAR SIR, LETTER X. TO JOHN KNIGHT, ESQ. Twitenham, Nov. 24. I HAD Some view of seeing you in the country; but the weather proved so cold, that the Duchess of Bucks came back to town before I was ready to go to Lees. I am forced now to content myself with such informations of Mrs. Knight's state of health, as your people gave me in Doverstreet. If these be true, she is pretty well; and I hope the cheerfulness you two can give one another, will make all that bad seasons, ill air, and uncomfortable prospects can do, ineffectual to molest or cloud you. Here the most unhappy gay people are reduced to mere children's play, and childish sights, to divert them. They go every day to stare at a mock coronation* on the stage, which is to be succeeded by a more ridiculous one of the Harlequins (almost as ridiculous a farce as the real state one of a coronation itself). After that, they hope for it again in a puppet-show, which is to recommend itself by another qualification, of having the exact portraits of the most conspicuous faces of our nobility in wax-work, so as to be known at sight, without Punch's help, or the master's pointing to each with his wand as they pass. So much for news! It is what passes most material in this * The Coronation of George II. which nearly ascertains the date of this letter. C, metropolis, till you, Sir, with your fellow-members, come to find us greater business after Christmas. At last I have seen the statue up, and the statuary down at the same time. The poor man has not been out of bed since. I sent part of the money to him, and offered him more, which he refused, till he has been at the Abbey, to do some little matter more to the hair (as I understand) and feet. The inscription on the urn is not done yet, though they (promised) it two months ago, and had the draught: but yesterday they sent to me again for it, which I cannot conceive the meaning of, for I saw it scored on in the Abbey. I have sent it over again to Mr. Bird this day, however, I shall think it a favour to hear of you both, when your leisure permits. Believe me a sincere well-wisher to you both, and (if you will allow me a higher title) dear Sir, A faithful friend and affectionate servant. My mother is well, and very much yours and Mrs. Knight's. LETTER XI. TO JOHN KNIGHT, ESQ. Tuesday, 7 in the Morning, THERE has arisen such a tempest to-night, and the morning is so blustering, that I think it unreasonable to tax Mrs. Knight's goodnature at |