can. But withal, that fhall not hinder me from employing myself alfo in a way which they do not like. The givers of trouble one way fhall have their share of it another; that at last they may be induced to let me be quiet, and live to myself, with the few (the very few) friends I like; for that is the point, the single point, I now aim at; tho', I know, the generality of the world who are unacquainted with my intentions and views, think the very reverse of this character belongs to me. I don't know how I have rambled into this account of myfelf; when I fat down to write, I had no thought of making that any part of my letter,

You might have been fure without my telling you, that my right hand is at eafe; elfe I fhould not have overflow'd at this rate. And yet I have not done, for there is a kind intimation in the end of yours, which I underflood, because it feems to tend towards employing me in fomething that is agreeable to you. Pray explain yourself, and believe that you have not an acquaintance in the world that would be more in earneft on fuch an occafion than I, for I love you, as well as esteem you.

All the while I have been writing, Pain, and a fine Thrush have been severally endeavouring to call off my attention; but both in yain, nor fhould I yet part with you, but that

the turning over a new leaf frights me a little, and makes me refolve to break thro' a new temptation, before it has taken too faft hold I am, &c.

on me.

LETTER XVIII.

From the fame.

June 15, 1722.

You

2

OU have generally written first, after our parting; I will now be before-hand with you in my enquiries, how you got home and how you do, and whether you met with Lord * and deliver'd my civil reproach to him, in the manner I defir'd? I fuppofe you did not, because I have heard nothing either from you, or from him on that head; as, I fuppofe, I might have done, if you had found him.

punc

I am fick of these Men of quality; and the more fo, the oft'ner I have any business to transact with them. They look upon it as one of their distinguishing privileges, not to be tual in any bufinefs, of how great importance foever; nor to fet other people at ease, with the loss of the least part of their own. This conduct of his vexes me; but to what purpofe? or how can I alter it?

I long

I long to fee the original MS. of Milton: but don't know how to come at it, without your repeated affistance.

I hope you won't utterly forget what pafs'd in the coach about Samfon Agonistes. I shall not prefs you as to time, but fome time or other, I wish you would review, and polish that piece. If upon a new perufal of it (which I defire you to make) you think as I do, that it is written. in the very spirit of the Ancients; it deferves your care, and is capable of being improved, with little trouble, into a perfect model and ftandard of Tragic poetry---always allowing for its being a story taken out of the Bible; which is an objection that at this time of day, I know, is not to be got over.

I am, &c.

LETTER XIX.

July 27.

I Have been as conftantly at Twitenham as

your Lordship has at Bromley, ever fince you faw Lord Bathurst. At the time of the Duke of Marlborough's funeral, I intend to lie at the Deanry, and moralize one evening with you on the vanity of human Glory.

The

a

The Duchefs's letter concerns me nearly, and know it, who know all my thoughts you without difguife: I must keep clear of Flattery; I will and as this is an honeft refolution, I dare hope, your Lordship will not be so unconcern'd for my keeping it, as not to affift me in fo doing. I beg therefore you would reprefent thus much at least to her Grace, that as to the fear fhe feems touch'd with, [That the Duke's memory fhould have no advantage but what he must give himself, without being beholden to any one friend] your Lordship may certainly, and agreeably to your character, both of rigid honour and Chriftian plainnefs, tell her, that no man can have any other advantage: and that all offerings of friends in fuch a cafe pafs for nothing. Be but fo good as to confirm what I've reprefented to her, that an infcription in the antient way, plain, pompous, yet modeft, will be the most uncommon, and therefore the most distinguishing manner of doing it. And fo, Į hope, fhe will be fatisfied, the Duke's honour be preferv'd, and my integrity alfo: which is too facred a thing to be forfeited, in confideration of any little (or what people of quality may call great) Honour or diftinction whatever, which thofe of their rank can beftow on one of mine; and which indeed they are apt to over-rate, but a The Duchess of Buckingham.

never fo much, as when they imagine us under any obligation to fay one untrue word in their favour.

you

I can only thank you, my Lord, for the kind transition you make from common bufinefs, to that which is the only real business of every reasonable creature. Indeed I think more of it than you imagine, tho' not fo much as I ought. I am pleas'd with thofe Latin verfes extremely, which are fo very good that I thought them yours, 'till call'd them an Horatian Cento, and then I recollected the dif jeɛti membra poeta. I won't pretend I am fo totally in thofe fentiments which you compliment me with, as I yet hope to be: You tell me I have them, as the civilleft method to put me in mind how much it fits me to have them. I ought, firft, to prepare my mind by a better knowledge even of good prophane writers, especially the Moralifts, &c. before I can be worthy of tafting that fupreme of books, and fublime of all writings. In which, as in all the intermediate ones, you may (if your friendship and charity toward me continue so far) be the best guide to

Your, &c.

LETTER