secured. This, and the earnest desire I have of kissing your toe at Grinstead, or rather a pretty lady's cheek (whom you talked of as a companion in your journey), occasions you the trouble of this, to know the reason why you flag in your good resolutions, or rather in the execution of them. But I enjoy you in spirit, though I cannot in person; for your works are my daily lecture, and with what satisfaction I need not repeat to you. But pray in your next tell me who was the unfortunate Lady you address a copy of verses to. I think you once gave me her history, but it is now quite out of my head. But now I have named such a person, Mrs. Cope occurs to my mind. I have complied with her desires, though I thinke a second voyage to such a rascall is the most preposterous thing imaginable; but mulierem fortem quis inveniet! 'Tis harder to find than the man Diogenes lookt for with a candle and lantern att noon-day. Adieu. I am, most abruptly, but most sincerely, Yours, etc. LETTER LXXXVI. FROM THE SAME. DEAR SIR, August, 18, 1717. WHEN yours of the 6th instant arrived here, I was gott into the East, not among the wyse men of that corner, butt amidst the fools of Tunbridge. My stay with them was butt of four days, butt I had spent the three preceding ones, I think, in worse company, the knaves of the law att our country assizes at Lewes. A cause called me thither, which, though I gained, I may brag of like my brother Teague, that it was just nothing att all, nor had I gott that neither had I not bestirred my stumps. When my pictures are done, be pleased to order them down to Ladyholt by the Stansted carrier, who inns in Gerrard-street.-You answer not my question who the unfortunate Lady was that you inscribe a copy of verses to in your book. I long to be retould her story, for I believe you allreddy tould me formerly; but I shall referr that and a thousand other things more to chatt over at our next meeting, which I hope draws near; presume my wife has fixed on a time with my dear Patty, to whom I pray my humble service, as also to her fair sister. I am in more haste, or rather hurry, than usual, but not lesse, Sir, Your, etc. DEAR SIR, LETTER LXXXVII. FROM MR. HUGHES. Red Lion-Street, Holborn, against I AM very sorry to hear of your ill health, and that my message came so unseasonable as to give you so much trouble to answer it. I hope by your mentioning your coming to town, that you are on the mending hand, and that the spring coming on will you be favourable to you. If should not come in a day or two, I must beg your return of the copy, which is much wanted, the time of acting drawing very near. Your not being in a condition to supply me with a Prologue is a great disappointment to me, but I should much rather chuse my Play should want that advantage, than put you to any trouble at present which may be prejudicial; being with a true respect, Dear Sir, Your, etc. LETTER LXXXVIII. FROM MR. CRAGGS. Cockpit, October 1, 1719. I was yesterday out of town, and came directly here this morning, where I received your letter, enclosed in a very fine one from Sir Godfrey Kneller. You'll easily imagine how much I am concerned at the accident which has befallen him; but I comfort myself, since his hand and head, which I could least have spared, remain in their former vigour and condition. I don't see why this misfortune is to be completed by the loss of Dr. Arbuthnot's and your good company, which you'll give me leave to expect tomorrow at Battersea, when we will drink Sir Godfrey's health, and make a new appointment against his recovery. I am entirely, dear Sir, Yours. LETTER LXXXIX. FRAGMENT OF A LETTER FROM MR. EVANS. DEAR SIR, St. John's, Oxon, May 13, 1719. 'Tis not that I forget you or disrespect you, but knowing you to be a man of true business, I thought it too impertinent to trouble you with any of mine; but now I understand you are at leisure, have at you as far as this half sheet will hold. In the first place I am very well satisfied you have done for me what you are able, and I heartily thank you, and beg your pardon, and very much blush for having given you any trouble of this kind with a sort of men you know as much what to make of as I. I don't know how they are in your church, but in ours, to tell you the truth, all the clergymen I ever yet saw are a sort of ecclesiastical quelques choses, that between common honesty and common sense I know not what to make of. They preach indeed passive obedience, but their practice is active insolence and impudent injustice; and when the laity use them as they use one another, there will be an end of 'em-Cætera desunt. DEAR SIR, LETTER XC. FROM THE SAME. St. John's Oxon, July 26, 1719. I SHOULD much sooner have sent you my acknowledgment and thanks for the very kind reception I met with from you at your pleasant house at Twickenham, but in troth it has been so very hot, that I could neither write, read, or think, but only lie still, swim, or sleep; and am still so monstrously lazy, that you must expect but a dry short letter from me; no gallantry or gaiety, but only a little downright good breeding and civility. I hope this will find your good mother settled in her health, and also yourself, as much as her age and your constitution will permit. If wishes had any power in medicine, I could soon make you both immortal; for she very well deserves it for furnishing the world with you; and you have yourself made your name immortal enough. I wish only that your body might come in for a small share of that noble blessing, if it were only for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. I wish the same to your good friend the Duchess; that she might live to teach people of quality all the good qualities in the world. I write as I talk, and speak as I think; and am, with great sincerity, Your, etc. SIR, LETTER XCI. FROM MR. CONGREVE. Ashley, Monday. I HAD designed to have waited on you to-day, but have been out of order since Saturday, as I have been most of the summer; and as the days are now, unless I am able to rise in a morning, it will be hard |