LETTERS

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Several LADIES.

LETTER I.

Madam,

Send you the book of Rudiments of Drawing, which you were pleas'd to command, and think my felf oblig'd to inform you at the fame time of one of the many excellencies you poffefs without knowing of 'em. You are but too good a Painter already; and no Picture of Raphael's was ever fo beautiful, as that which you have form'd in a certain heart of my acquaintance. Indeed it was but just that the

finest

fineft lines in nature fhou'd be drawn upon the most durable ground, and none cou'd ever be met with that wou'd fo readily receive, or fo 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 posfible injury to the fineft Face that ever was made, and to the livelieft Image that ever was drawn. I have imagination enough in your abfence, to trace fome resemblance of you; but I have been fo long us'd to lofe my judgment at the fight of you, that 'tis paft my power to correct it by the life. Your Picture seems leaft like when plac'd before your eyes, and contrary to all other pictures receives a manifeft disadvantage by being fet in 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, she made fuch a finifh'd 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 little girl, done with abundance of fpirit and life: and wants nothing but time to be an admirable piece: But not to flatter your work, I don't think 'twill ever come up to what your Father made. However I wou'd not difcourage you; 'tis certain you have a ftrange happiness, in making fine things of a fudden and at a ftroke, with incredible cafe and pleasure.

Madam, I am, &c.

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 Sex to take upon us twice as much as yours allows us: By this method I may write to you moft impudently, because you once anfwer'd 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 addrefs'd 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, &c. Firft Madam, I make choice of you rather than of your Mother, because you are younger than your Mother. Secondly, because I fancy you fpell better, as having been at fchool later. Thirdly, because you have nothing to do but to write if you pleafe, and poffibly it may keep you from employing yourself worfe: it may fave fome honeft neighbouring Gentleman from three or four of your peftilent glances. Caft your eyes upon paper, Madam, there you may look innocently: Men are feducing, books are dangerous, the amorous one's foften you, and the godly one's give you the spleen: If you look upon trees, they clafp in embraces; birds and beafts make love; the Sun is too warm for your blood, the Moon melts you into yielding and melancholy. Therefore I fay once more, caft your eyes upon Paper, and read only fuch Letters as I write, which convey no darts, no flames, but proceed from Innocence of soul, and fimplicity of heart. However, I can allow you a Bonnet lined with green for your eyes, but take care you don't tarnish it with ogling too fiercely: I am told, that hand you fhade yourself with this fhining weather, is tann'd pretty much, only with being carried over thofe Eyes- thank God I am an hundred miles off from them

Upon

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Upon the whole I wou'd fooner trust your hand than your Eyes for doing me mifchief; and tho' I doubt not fome part of the rancour and iniquity of your heart will drop into your pen, yet fince it will not attack me on a fudden and unprepar'd, fince I may have time while I break open your letter to cross my felf and fay a Paternofter, I hope Providence will protect me from all you can attempt at this distance. Mr. B tells me you are at this hour as handsome as an Angel, for my part I have forgot your face fince two winters, I don't know whether you are tall or short, nor can tell in any respect what fort of creature you are, only that you are a very mischievous one whom I fhall ever pray to be defended from. But when Mr. Bfends me word you have the fmall pox, a good many freckles, or are very pale, I will defire him to give thanks for it in your Parish Church, which as foon as he hall inform me he has done I will make you a vifit at without Armour : I will eat any thing you give me without fufpicion of poyfon, take you by the hand without gloves, nay venture to follow you into an arbour without calling the company. This Madam is the top of my wifhes, but how differently are our defires inclined! You figh out, in the ardour of

your