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is fo strong

going; for I know no invitation with you as when any one is in diftrefs, or in want of your affiftance: The strongest proof in the world of this, was your attendance on the late Earl.

I have been very melancholy for the lofs of Mr Blount. Whoever has any portion of good nature will fuffer on these occafions; but a good inind rewards its own fufferings. I hope to trouble you as little as poffible, if it be fate to go before you, of old Ennius's mind,

my

I am

Nemo me decoret lachrymis-I am but a Lodger here: this is not an abiding city, I am only to stay out my leafe: for what has Perpetuity and mortal man to do with each other? But I could be glad you would take up with an Inn at Twitenham, as long as I am Host of it: if not, I would take up freely with any Inn of yours.-Adieu, dear Sir: Let us while away this life: and (if we can) meet in ano

ther.

LETTER XXXI.

To the fame.

June 24 1727.

U are too humane and confiderate, (things

Y few people can be charged with.) Do not fay

you will not expect letters from me; upon my word I can no more forbear writing fometimes to you, than thinking of you. I know the world too well, not to value you who are an example of acting, living, and thinking, above it, and contrary to it.

I thank God for my Mother's unexpected recovery, tho' my hope can rife no higher than from reprieve to reprieve, the small addition of a few days to the many fhe has already feen. Yet fo fhort and tranfitory as this light is, it is all I have to warm or shine upon me; and when it is out, there is nothing elfe that will live for me, or confume itself in my service. But I would have you think this is not the chief motive of my concern about her: Gratitude is a cheap virtue, one may pay it very punctually, for it costs us nothing, but our memory of the good done. And I owe her more good, than ever I can pay, or fhe at this age receive, if I could. I do not think the tranquillity of the mind ought to be disturbed for many things in this world: but thofe offices that are neceffary duties either to our friends or ourselves, will hardly prove any breach of it; and as much as they take away from our indolence and ease of body, will contribute to our peace and quiet of mind by the content they give. They often afford the highest pleasure; and those who do not feel that, will hardly ever find another to match. it, let them love themselves ever fo dearly. At the fame time it must be own'd, one meets with cruel difappointments in seeing so often the best endeavours ineffectual to make others happy, and very often (what is moft cruel of all) thro' their own means *. But ftill I affirm, thofe very disappointments of a virtuousman are greater pleafures, than the utmost gratifications and fucceffes of a mere felf-lover.

*See letter xxvrr from Cirencester.

The great and fudden event which has juft now happened †, puts the whole world (I mean this whole world) into a new ftate: The only ufe I have, fhall, or wish to make of it, is to obferve the disparity of men from themselves in a week's time; the defultory leaping and catching of new motions, new modes, new measures; and that strange spirit and life, with which men broken and difappointed refume their hopes, their folicitations, their ambitions! It would be worth your while as a Philofopher, to be bufy in these obfervations, and to come hither to see the fury and bustle of the Bees this hot season, without coming so near as to be ftung by them.

LETTER XXXII.

To the fame.

Your, &c.

June 17. 1728.

A

Fter the publishing of my Boyish Letters to Mr Cromwell, you will not wonder if I should forfwear writing a letter again while I live; fince I do not correspond with a friend upon the terms of any other free fubject of this kingdom. But to you I can never be filent, or referved; and, I am fure, my opinion of your heart is such, that I could open mine to in no manner which I could fear the whole world fhould know. I could publish my own heart too, I will venture to fay, for any mischief or malice there

you

+ The death of K. George the First, which happened the 11th of June, 1727.

is in it but a little too much folly or weakness might (I fear) appear, to make such a spectacle either inftructive or agreeable to others.

I am reduced to beg of all my acquaintance to fecure me from the like usage for the future, by returning me any letters of mine which they may have preferved; that I may not be hurt, after my death, by that which was the happiness of my life, their partiality and affection to me.

I have nothing of myself to tell you, only that I have had but indifferent health. I have not made a vifit to London: Curiofity and the love of Diffipation die apace in me. I am not glad nor forry for it, but I am very forry for those who have nothing elfe to live

on.

1

I have read much, but writ no more. I have small hopes of doing good, no vanity in writing, and little ambition to please a world not very candid or deferving. If I can preferve the good opinion of a few friends, it is all I can expect, confidering how little good I can do even to them to merit it. Few people have your candour, or are fo willing to think well of another from whom they receive no benefit, and gratify no vanity. But of all the soft sensations, the greateft pleasure is to give and receive mutual Truft. It is by Belief and firm Hope, that men are made happy in this life, as well as in the other. My confidence in your good opinion, and dependence upon that of one or two more, is the chief cordial drop I tafte, amidst the Infipid, the Difagreeable, the Cloying, or the Dead

fweet, which are the common draughts of life. Some pleasures are too pert, as well as others too flat, to be relish'd long: and vivacity in fome cafes is werfe than dulnefs. Therefore indeed for many years I have not chofen my companions for any of the qualities in fashion, but almoft entirely for that which is the most out-of-fashion, fincerity. Before I am aware of it, I am making your panegyric, and perhaps my own too; for next to poffeffing the best of qualities, is the esteeming and distinguishing those who poffefs it. I truly love and value you, and so I stop short.

MY LORD,

I

LETTER XXXIII.

To the Earl of PETERBOROW.

Aug. 24. 1728.

Prefume you may before this time be returned, from

the contemplation of many Beauties, animal and vegetable, in Gardens; and poffibly fome rational, in Ladies; to the better enjoyment of your own at Bevis-Mount. I hope, and believe, all you have seen will only contribute to it. I am not so fond of making compliments to Ladies as I was twenty years ago, or I would say there are some very reasonable, and one in particular there. I think you happy, my Lord, in being at least half the year almost as much your own mafter as I am mine the whole year: and with all the difadvantageous incumbrances of quality, parts, and honour, as mere a gardener, loiterer, and labourer,

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