I LETTER LXIV. FROM MR. CONGREVE. SIR, Ashley, Monday. HAD defigned to have waited on you to-day, but have been out of order fince Saturday, as I have been most of the fummer; and as the days are now, unless I am able to rife in a morning, it will be hard to go and come, and have any pleasure between the whiles. The next day after I had known from you where Lady Mary was, I fent to know how she did; but by her answer I perceive fhe has the goodness for me to believe I have been all this fummer here, though I had been here but a fortnight, when you came to see me. Pray give her my most humble ferIf I can, I will wait on you. I am, vice. Your, etc. LETTER LXV. FROM THE SAME. Surry-Street, Jan. 29. I RETURN you a thousand thanks for your letter about Spaw-water. Dr. Arbuthnot has ordered me at prefent to drink falt-water, fo I cannot ex prefsly fay when I fhall want the Spaw; but if the perfon mentioned by you, imports any quantity for himself at any time, I fhall be glad to know of it. I am forry you did not keep your word in letting me fee you a fecond time. I am always, dear Sir, Your, etc. Dear Sir, LETTER LXVI. FROM DR. YOUNG*. May 2. HAVING been often from home I know not if you have done me the favour of calling on me, but be that as it will, I much want that inftance of your friendship I mentioned in my last, a friendship I am very fenfible I can receive from no one but yourself. I should not urge this thing fo much, but for very particular reafons; nor can you be at a lofs to conceive how a trifle of this nature may be of serious moment to me; and while I am in hopes of the great advantage of your advice about it, I fhall not be fo abfurd as to take any farther ftep without it. I know you are much engaged, and only hope to hear from you at your entire leisure. I am, etc. *This, I imagine, may relate to the requeft of a Prologue. So, in one of the Satires, he fays, "Three things another's modeft wishes bound, Your Friendship, and a Prologue, and-Ten pound." IF LETTER LXVII. LORD PETERBOROW TO MR. POPE. SIR, I can make a party with Lord Bolingbroke and Lord Harcourt to dine at Parsons Green, you will give me leave to fend my coach for you, Pray doe me the favour to fend me the breadth and depth of the marble field. You may have it measured by moonlight by a ten-foot rod; or any body used to grounds will make a meer gueffe by paffing it over. Your, etc. I LETTER LXVIII. SIR GODFREY KNELLER TO MR. POPE. Dear Friend, HOPE your genus dos and will know myn is with the most acceptable and most accomplished company to-morrow; for my body is in no condition to ftirr out of my bed as jet, and has had no rest these two nights but what it fnatches and gets in the daytimes by fits; and I believe my left lag* will be out of order * Who can help fmiling at honeft Sir Godfrey's account of his left "lag." Walpole thinks fuch Letters need not be polished. Certainly 23 order a good wyle. Pray give my hearty good will to the compa. for the deeds, and my most humble fervis, being ever yours. I LETTER LXIX. FROM THE SAME. Dear Friend, FIND them pictures are fo very fresh, being painted in three collers, and ought to be near a fier several days; for as they are, it is impracticable to put them where you intend. It would be pitty they should take duft. Jenny stays here 8 or 10 days, and will not fail of fending them when reddy; and I am, giving my hearty and humble fervis to your dear mother, dear Mr. Pope, Your, etc. Certainly not, as fine Letters; but they are entertaining and characteriftic. It should be remembered, that Sir Godfrey, being a foreigner, was not of courfe acquainted with the English language. I LETTER LXX. FROM THE SAME. Dear Mr. Pope, BELIEVE this will be card playrs evning, and we may do how we please. If you come about 4 a clock, you may fee me paint. To-morrow I am engaged to goe to Harrow the Hill with company, being ever, dear friend, Your, etc. I SIR, LETTER LXXI. FROM THE SAME. From Great Queen-Street, AM in towne, and have louck'd for beds and bed fteads, which muft coft ten pounds a year. When I promised to provide them you had maid no mention of the towne rates, which I am to pay, and will be 5 pounds a year at least, and which would be 15 pounds per annum whit the beds; and that houfe did let for 45 a year when I bought it; fo that all I have laid out being near 400 pound, would be done for nothing, of which you will confider and let me know |