the old similitude says, the keenness of the mind soonest wears out the body, as the sharpest sword soonest destroys the scabbard : so that (as I say) you must be satisfied with your apprehension of an uneasy life, though I hope not a short one; notwithstanding that generally your sound wits (though weak bodies) are immortal hereafter, by that genius which shortens your present life, to prolong that of the future. But I yet hope, your great, vigorous, and active mind will not be able to destroy your little, tender, and crazy carcass. Now to say something to what you write concerning the present epidemic distemper of the mind and age, calumny; I know it is no more to be avoided (at one time or another of our lives) than a fever or an ague; and, as often those distempers attend or threaten the best constitutions, from the worst air; so does that malignant air of calumny soonest attack the sound and elevated in mind, as storms of wind the tallest and most fruitful trees; whilst the low and weak, for bowing and moving to and fro, are by their weakness secure from the danger and violence of the tempest. But so much for stinking rumour, which weakest minds are most afraid of; as Irishmen, though the nastiest of mankind, are most offended at a fart. SIR, LETTER LXXX. FROM MR. TRUMBULL. June 15, 1706. It is alwayes to my advantage to correspond with you; for I either have the use of your bookes, or (which I value much more) your conversation. I am sure it will be my fault If I do not improve by both. I wish also I could learn some more skill in gardning from your father (to whome with your good mother all our services are presented, with thankes for the hartichokes) who has set us a pattern that I am afraid we shall copie but in miniature; for so our hartichokes are in respect of his. In all things I am ready to yield, except in the assurances that nobody can be more than I am, Poor Jeunie is still afflicted with her Yours, etc. ague. LETTER LXXXI. FROM MR. WALSH. SIR, Abberley, July 21, 1707. HAVING received the favour of your letter of the third of this month, wherein you give me hopes of seeing you before the end of it, I am in dayly expectation of receiving your commands to send a coach or horses to meet you at Worcester, and not put you to the inconvenience of such horses as you will finde at the post-house. It was nothing but the fear that you should not send me word time enough for me to send horses to meet you, that makes me give you the trouble of this letter. And I expect no other answer but to that point, as for all others Nil mihi rescribas, attamen ipse veni. Your, etc, DEAR SIR, LETTER LXXXII. FROM MR. STEELE. January 20, 1711. I HAVE received your very kind letter. That part of it which is grounded upon your belief that I have much affection and friendship for you, I receive with great pleasure. That which acknowledges the honour done to your Essay", I have no pretence to; it was written by one whom I will make you acquainted with, which is the best return I can make to you for your favour to, Sir, Your, etc. SIR, LETTER LXXXIII. FROM THE SAME. July 26, 1711. I WRIT to you the other day, and hope you have received my letter. This is for the same end, to Essay on Criticism. know whether you are at leisure to help Mr. Clayton, that is, me, to some words for music against winter. Your answer to me at Will's, will be a great favour to, Sir, Your, etc. DEAR SIR, LETTER LXXXIV. FROM MR. ROWE. Thursday, May 20, 1713. I DON'T know that I have a long time received a billet with greater pleasure than yours. Depend upon it, nothing could have been more agreeable but yourself. To do something then that is perfectly kind, come and eat a bit of mutton with me to-morrow at Stockwell. Bring whom you will along with you, though I can give you nothing" but the aforesaid mutton and a cup of ale." It is but a little mile from Fox-hall; and you don't know how much you will oblige Your, etc. LETTER LXXXV. FROM MR. CARYLL. W. Grinsted, July 16, 1717. I HAVE not had a word from your holiness since my last to you, nor any account of the receipt of some pictures that I desired you to get framed and secured. This, and the earnest desire I have of kissing your toe at Grinstead, or rather a pretty lady's cheek (whom you talked of as a companion in your journey), occasions you the trouble of this, to know the reason why you flag in your good resolutions, or rather in the execution of them. But I enjoy you in spirit, though I cannot in person; for your works are my daily lecture, and with what satisfaction I need not repeat to you. But pray in your next tell me who was the unfortunate Lady you address a copy of verses to. I think you once gave me her history, but it is now quite out of my head. But now I have named such a person, Mrs. Cope occurs to my mind. I have complied with her desires, though I thinke a second voyage to such a rascall is the most preposterous thing imaginable; but mulierem fortem quis inveniet! "Tis harder to find than the man Diogenes lookt for with a candle and lantern att noon-day. Adieu. I am, most abruptly, but most sincerely, Yours, etc. LETTER LXXXVI. FROM THE SAME. August, 18, 1717. DEAR SIR, WHEN yours of the 6th instant arrived here, I was gott into the East, not among the wyse men of that corner, butt amidst the fools of Tunbridge. My stay with them was butt of four days, butt I had the the three preceding ones, I think, in worse company, spent |