x

had been his, to which I really wifh no lefs; and (had it been any way in my power) fhould have been very glad to have contributed to its introduction into the world. His verfes to Lintot have put a whim into my head, which you are like to be troubled with in the oppofite page: take it as you find it, the production of half an hour t'other morning. I defign very foon to put a task of a more serious nature upon you, in reviewing a piece of mine that may better deserve. criticism; and by that time you have done with it, I hope to tell you in perfon with how much fidelity I

am

Your, etc.

* These verses are printed in Dr. Swift's and our Author's Miscellanies.

W.

H

LETTERS

то

SEVERAL LADIES'.

LETTER I

I

Madam,

March 1, 1705.

SEND you the book of rudiments of Drawing, which you were pleased to command, and think myself obliged to inform you at the fame time of one of the many excellencies you poffefs without knowing of them. You are but too good a Painter already; and no picture of Raphael's was ever fo beautiful, as that which you have formed in a certain heart of my acquaintance. Indeed it was but just that the finest lines

in

• Most of these were printed without the Author's confent, and no doubt are the fame upon which the cenfure is passed in the Preface, "That they have too much of a juvenile ambition of "wit, and affectation of gaiety." And it is pleaded in excuse, "that they were written very young, and the folly was foon ❝ over."

P.

After this candid cenfure, passed by our author himself, on the fucceeding Thirty-three Letters to feveral Ladies, it would be invidious to say any thing more of their being very unworthy of him; always excepting the laft, to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, on her marriage, which is full of gallantry and elegance.

in nature should be drawn upon the most durable ground, and none could ever be met with, that would fo readily receive, or so faithfully retain them, as this Heart. I may boldly fay of it, that you will not find its fellow in all the parts of the body in this book. But I must complain to you of my hand, which is an arrant traitor to my heart; for having been copying your picture from thence and from Kneller these three days, it has done all poffible injury to the finest face that ever was made, and to the livelieft image that ever was drawn. I have imagination enough in your absence, to trace some resemblance of you; but I have been fo long used to lose my judgment at the fight of you that it is past my power to correct it by the life. Your picture feems leaft like when placed before your eyes; and, contrary to all other pictures, receives a manifeft disadvantage by being fet on the fairest light in the world. The Painters are a very vain generation, and have a long time pretended to rival nature; but to own the truth to you, fhe made fuch a finished piece about three and twenty years ago, (I beg your pardon, Madam; I proteft, I meant but two and twenty,) that 'tis in vain for them any longer to contend with her. I know you indeed made one fomething like it, betwixt five and fix years paft: 'twas

a

Firl, done with abundance of spirit and life,

2

and wants nothing but time to be an admirable piece

but, not to flatter your work, I don't think it will ever come up to what your father made. However

I would

I would not difcourage you; 'tis certain you have a ftrange happiness, of making fine things of a fudden and at a stroke, with incredible ease and pleasure.

I am, etc.

LETTER II.

T is too much a rule* in this town, that when a lady

has once done a man a favour, he is to be rude to her ever after. It becomes our fex to take upon us twice as much as yours allow us; by this method I may write to you most impudently, because you once anfwered me modeftly; and if you should never do me that honour for the future, I am to think (like a true coxcomb) that your filence gives confent. Perhaps you wonder why this is addreffed to you rather than to Mrs. M-, with whom I have the right of an old acquaintance, whereas you are a fine lady, have bright eyes, etc. First, Madam, I make choice of you rather than of your mother, because you are younger than your mother. Secondly, because I fancy you spell better, as having been at school later. Thirdly, because you have nothing to do but to write if you please, and poffibly it may keep you from employing yourself worse: it may fave fome honest neighbouring gentleman from three or four of your peftilent glances. Caft

*We cannot but regret the want of a date and address to all thefe letters.