I am glad of an occasion to give you, under my hand, this testimony, both how excellent I think this work to be, and how excellent I thought the author.

I am, etc.

SIR,

LETTER LX.

TO MR. DENNIS.

May 3, 1721. I CALLED to receive the two books of your letters' from Mr. Congreve, and have left with him the little money I am in your debt. I look upon myself to be much more so, for the "omissions you have been pleased to make in those Letters in my favour, and sincerely join with you in the desire, that not the least traces may remain of that difference between us, which indeed I AM SORRY FOR." You may therefore believe me, without either ceremony or falseness, Sir,

Your, etc.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER LXI.

TO HIS FATHER.

THIS is to beg you would enquire of Mrs. Clark, if she will board a family for the summer in her

These books were entitled, Original Letters, familiar, moral,

and critical. In two volumes 8vo.

house, and at what rate? Be pleased also to ask at the house over against ours, Mr. Gascoin's sister, if she will board, &c. and how many beds there are to be let there, and the lowest rate? and send word by the first post you can to me. I am very well, and beg you both to believe me most affectionately, Your, etc.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER LXII.

TO THE SAME.

I HAVE recovered the ten guineas at Sir Richard Hoare's. Dr. Arbuthnot says, since my mother is better, to cure the bitterness she complains of, she should chew rhubarb and snake-root, about half a dram each morning, for two or three days, instead of a vomit. But if she will venture a vomit, not. Carduus tea can do no harm, even if she should not vomit.

I have sold 500l. at 1007. which was bad luck, since it might have been parted with yesterday and to-day at 1017. and a half. I hope soon to see you, but desire an account how my mother does, and am Your, etc.

LETTER LXIII.

TO HIS BROTHER.

DEAR BROTher, Saturday. I HOPE to be with you on Monday next: if you don't see me that night, I desire you to send a man and horse (such a one as I may ride safely) on Tuesday morning to the Toy by Hampton Court gate by ten o'clock, and I will not fail to wait upon you; which being all the business of this letter, I shall add no more, than that I am my sister's and Yours most affectionately.

DEAR SISTER,

LETTER LXIV.

TO HIS SISTER.

Twickenham, August 1. THE business of this is to acquaint you with my intentions of sending for you with the chariot on Thursday or Friday next, in order to get you hither. I have named the latest day that I could possibly allow you to stay from us, being obliged to lend the chariot upon a journey on Saturday. We will take no denial, and therefore expect no excuse, or answer to the contrary, from you. If I hear nothing (as I hope I shan't), it shall certainly come one of the days aforesaid: so pray be in readiness. My hearty love to you both, and my mother's kindest remembrances. I am always, dear sister,

Your, etc.

SIR,

LETTER LXV.

FROM MRS. M. BLOUNT.

Sunday Morning.

My sister and I shall be at home all day: if any company come that you don't like, I'll go up into any room with you: I hope we shall see you.

LETTER LXVI.

Yours, etc.

DEAR MR. GAY,

TO MR. GAY.

ABOVE all other news, send us the best, that of your good health, if you enjoy it; which Mr. Harcourt made us very much fear. If you have any design either to amend your health, or your life, I know no better expedient than to come hither, where you should not want room though I lay myself in a truckle-bed under the Doctor. You might here converse with the old Greeks, be initiated into all their customs, and learn their prayers by heart as we have done: the Doctor, last Sunday, intending to say Our Father, was got half way in Chryses' prayer to Apollo. The ill effects of contention and squabbling, so lively described in the first Iliad, make Dr. Parnelle and myself continue in the most exemplary union in every thing. We deserve to be

worshipped by all the poor, divided, factious, interested poets of this world.

As we rise in our speculations daily, we are grown so grave, that we have not condescended to laugh at any of the idle things about us this week: I have contracted a severity of aspect from deep meditation on high subjects, equal to the formidable front of black-browed Jupiter, and become an awful nod as well, when I assent to some grave and weighty proposition of the Doctor, or inforce a criticism of my own. In a word, Y-g himself has not acquired more tragic majesty in his aspect by reading his own verses, than I by Homer's.

In this state I cannot consent to your publication of that ludicrous trifling burlesque you write about. Dr. Parnelle also joins in my opinion, that it will by no means be well to print it.

Pray give (with the utmost fidelity and esteem) my hearty service to the Dean, Dr. Arbuthnot, Mr. Ford, and to Mr. Fortescue. Let them also know at Button's that I am mindful of them. I am, divine Bucoliast!

THY LOVING COUNTRYMAN.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER LXVII.

TO THE SAME.

October 23.

I HAVE been perpetually troubled with sickness of late, which has made me so melancholy, that the immortality of the soul has been my constant specu