LETTER LIV.

MR. POPE TO LORD OXFORD.

MY LORD, September 22, 1732. It was a grief to me not to be able to snatch one day more to be happy with you, before you left the town; and it added to the vexation, when I found myself, within a week after, obliged to do that for business which I could not for pleasure, for I was kept four days there, multa gemens. I am extremely sensible, my Lord, of the many great distinctions you have shewn me, the original of all which I attributed to your piety to your father, for whom my respect was too sincere to be exprest in poetry: and if, from the continuance of your good opinion, I may derive some imagination that you thought me not a worse man than a poet, it is a greater obligation to me personally, than even the other. I hope my having taken an opportunity, the only way my poor abilities can, of telling all men I no less esteem and love the son, will not be ungrateful to you, or quite displeasing. If any objection to the manner of it occur to your Lordship, I depend on you, both as a friend and a judge, to tell me so. Otherwise I will interpret your silence as a consent to let me acquaint every body that I am (what I truly feel myself), my Lord, your ever affectionate and obliged humble

servant.

My Lady and Lady Margaret don't know how much I am theirs, unless your Lordship will tell them

you believe it of me; and my poor old woman heartily (though feebly) expresses her service to you all.

MY LORD,

LETTER LV.

TO THE SAME.

October 20, 1733.

I AM returned a week since from my Lord Peterborow, with whom I past three weeks as agreeably and as healthfully as I ever did in my life. I was not a little disappointed to find your Lordship in London, though, considering the fine weather, and how late in the season you enjoyed it, I ought not to lament an absence which must both give you health and pleasure. Your house I found totally at my service, and took up my choice (like a young and ambitious man) in no room of it but Lady Margaret's. How much might I say upon that subject, were I a poet! but the misfortune of being what seldom consists with that character, a bashful and backward man, keeps me silent. I shall be little in town (if at all) till your return, and, in truth, since I came home, I have had my health so ill, that I must in a manner live by myself; and think I must either lead such a life as I did at Southampton, which is inconsistent with a town life, or lock myself up from all conversible hours while I am in town. I beg to hear a line of your satisfactions and amusements, for of your state of health I am daily informed by your honest porter: but the other he knows not, and I am

may be

your

whole

not quite contented without it. That all enjoyments and all good things attend yours, worthy family, is the sincere prayer always of, my Lord, your faithfullest servant.

MY LORD,

LETTER LVI.

TO THE SAME.

December 26, 1733.

I SINCERELY wish yourself, Lady Oxford, and Lady Margaret, the happiest New Years to come. I have so many things to tell you, that I can tell you none, and therefore I am inclined not to write at all. Whatever I can say of my zealous desires for your felicity, is short of the truth; and as to the rest, it is too long a story to begin till I have the pleasure to meet your Lordship, and can at the same time make an end of it.

This I writ a week ago, and having nothing more material to say, was ashamed to send it. But seeing they can't tell me when you return to town, I was resolved not to let the season pass without sending you all this poor wish at least. wish at least. I hope my Lady Oxford is perfectly well, though I heard she has not been so, notwithstanding your porter has often told me all was well at Wimpole. Believe me to be with the truest esteem and unalterable sincerity, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, affectionate, and obliged servant.

If Lord Duplin be with you, I hope he will accept my humble services.

SIR,

LETTER LVII.

TO JOHN VANDR. BEMPDEN, ESQ. PRESENT.

Thursday. UPON what you told me when I was last to wait on you, I deferred treating further for the rentcharge, till you could be more certain what sum you could conveniently raise in present, towards the purchase. If there were only 3 or 400l. wanting, we would take your bond; for as to a mortgage on the rent-charge, my father is not qualified to take it; for by an Act of Parliament he cannot buy land, though he may sell. However, if you desire to make the purchase soon, I believe I have a friend who will lend you the 1000l. on the same security you offer us. If you have any other scruple, you'll please to tell it me fairly; but if this purchase be convenient to you, we shall think of treating with no other, and be ready upon your answer; since I think what I here propose, entirely accommodates all the difficulty you seem to be at. I am, Sir,

Your, etc.

LETTER LVIII.

TO MR. JERVAS.

No date.

I BEG you to let me know if you have any thoughts of your Devonshire journey this summer. If you have, I will stay for you, and let Mr. For

tescue and Gay travel together. This resolution must be made with some haste, because they go next week, and I shall want time to prepare. I thought Mrs. Cecil had receipts before. The names of Lady Ranelagh and Lady Cavendish were inserted long since in the list.

You may tell Mr. Rollinson that Gay was not sure he should go to Lord Bolingbroke's when he came hither; or help him to some excuse, for his neglect was scandalous, and has given him much vexation of spirit.

I should have been glad to have had the Report of the Committee, and have since writ to Lintott for it. If the Whigs now say, that B. is the hero of my preface, the Tories said (you may remember) three years ago, that Cato was the hero of my poetry. It looks generous enough to be always on the side of the distressed; and my patrons of the other party may expect great panegyrics from me when they come to be impeached by the future party rage of their opponents. To compliment those who are dead in law, is as much above the imputation of flattery, as Tickell says it is, to compliment those who are really dead. And perhaps too there is as much vanity in my praising Bolingbroke, as in his praising Halifax. No people in the world are so apt to give themselves airs as authors.

I have received the report, but have not yet had time to read any of it. I have gone through the 5th, 6th, and 7th books, except a small part of the latter end of the 6th.-Pray tell me if you hear any thing said about Mr. Tickell's, or my translation,