and therefore is not impertinent to ask, that you are well, and in a peaceful or happy state of mind or body. I hope Mrs. Elliot is with you, to contribute to yours, and increase her own happiness. It will not displease you to hear, that you are remembered at this distance, and in a place where you are not much acquainted: but when you know that I am here, and that Mr. Poyntz is here, you will easily expect it should be so; and not wonder that your health and Mr. Newsham's are drank at Lord Peterborough's table. I am taking my leave (a melancholy office) of a friend I have long had a true regard for, and one of the most obliging turn, and the finest talents to make others easy and pleased, of any that I ever knew. There will not be many finer gentlemen left in the world, unless Mr. Newsham, and some other of the second generation, be very much bent upon it to rival him.

Pray let Mr. Harte know I am always his sincere well-wisher. I wish I were a day or two with you, to see how happy he is, beside making myself so; but fate keeps me far from you. At Stowe will be my next stage, where, if I can be soon enough, I would meet my Lady Suffolk, who is to stay there but a few days. Mrs. Blount is yet with her, and not less your sincere servant (I can tell you, though perhaps she may not), than the finest lady in Christendom; nay, I take her to be as sincere as Lady S. herself, though she is now no courtier. I desire you to think of me as you used to do, which I am sensible is as well as I deserved,

and I deserve just the same now, for I am just the same, that is, faithfully, Madam, your most obliged (why not affectionate?) humble servant.

Mrs. Elliot will believe me sincerely her servant, when I assure her so in all Christian truth, not in worldly compliment.

LETTER XVI.

TO MRS. KNIGHT.

: MADAM,

Twitenham, Nov. 25, 1735.

You will not think my silence any evidence of my forgetting you, after what I have declared to you long ago. It is a pain to me to be writing things I cannot express, to friends I cannot see; for both my zeal for them, and my concern not to be nearer them, puts me into an uneasiness not to be told. I was much disappointed in not finding Mrs. Elliot: I was at her door the day before I left London, and the first day that I returned to it, which was the morning after she went. If a desire to be with you some days would transport me beyond such necessary business as my relations and friends find for me, I assure you my own business would not hinder my complying with it.

I have not, for I cannot forget what you mention in relation to Mr. Harte: one of the livings I can have no possible view of, knowing nothing towards the Duke of Rutland. The other, of Lord

Essex, I will speak to Lord Cornbury upon, who is but just returned from abroad. I have hopes of seeing him soon: but God knows, these are remote views.

To prove to you how little essential to friendship I hold letter-writing, after the experience of thirty years (for so long Mr. Curll tells you I kept a regular correspondence), I have not yet written to Mr. Mallet, whom I love and esteem greatly, nay whom I know to have as tender a heart, and that feels a friendly remembrance as long as any man. Pray send him the inclosed: it is all I can say, for (as I told you before) it makes me quite sick to be put upon the pikes, to be saying such things as can only be felt, not said. When do you come to town? The rascally builders, as you call them, do not deserve that name; they pull down more than they build up, and will keep you out of your house for ever, if you do not come and drive them out. Mrs. Patty loves you, and hopes no woman of quality can love you better; for then she would wish to be a woman of quality. I love you (modestly speaking), and I love Mrs. Elliot (Christianly speaking); so pray love and forgive him who is truly and morally hers, and, dear Madam, Your, &c.

LETTER XVII.

TO MRS. NUGENT.*

MADAM,

Sept. 6, 1736.

I TAKE your rebuke in Mrs. Blount's letter kindly; but indeed I know nothing so fruitless as letter-writing. It can amount only to this, to be certified that our friends live, and that we live mindful of them; the first of which one may generally know otherwise, and the latter no friend can or ought to doubt. I have often heard of you; and, without hearing particulars, am satisfied, that while you are alive, you are doing some good, and remembering those of whom you have the same opinion. Indeed, I know but one circumstance in which it is very pleasing (if not very reasonable) on both sides, to demand, and to tell, all particulars of, and to one another: it is, when two people are in love. Now you see, Madam, that whenever I write to you often, it will amount to a direct declaration, which I fear would immediately make you yourself put a stop to it. Therefore, not to be impertinent at my age, I will be content with

*On the 23d March, 1736, Mrs. Knight was married to Robert Nugent, Esq. who, after filling several offices of state, was, in 1767, advanced to the peerage of Ireland, by the titles of Baron Nugent of Carlanstown, and Viscount Clare, and afterwards was created Earl Nugent, with remainder, in default of issue male, to George Grenville-Nugent-Temple, now Marquis of Buckingham, who married his daughter Mary, now Marchioness of Buckingham. Earl Nugent died Oct. 13, 1788.

C.

putting you in mind (though I think myself happy enough not to believe it necessary) that I wish to be your servant in any thing. But it would be downright impudence to imagine your regard for me extended to a desire of knowing a thousand things about a person so little significant to your real service or welfare.

I like better the Christian language, of saying I pray for yours here and hereafter; which is true, and which is, in reality, all we can do for one another, for the most part: and I think Mrs. Elliot will be on my side.

If we both join in these prayers, I hope more good may accrue to your soul, than I dare name, or than the Rev. Mr. Harte may allow of.

In the mean time, I will only pray that you may be delivered from all evil, and particularly, in the first place, from all evil workers, or workmen, who are as dirty and as noisy as devils, in your house. But you may wish me joy of workmen in my garden; which I think as delightful, as the others are dreadful. You may as much expect to see a new garden, when you come to Twitnam, as I to see a new house when I go to Gosfield. I hope they will drive you out to London, since I shall be kept hereabouts all the autumn. I guess Mr. Harte is in his element, among builders and bookcases: I wish him happy sincerely in every thing.

I foresee Mr. Newsham's return is approaching. I doubt not he will bring you back the completion of your happiness; and if he does, I must say you