again towards Bath, or Wilton, or as we shall then agree. The Doctor proposes that himself or his man ride my spare horse, and that I leave all equipage to be sent to Bath by the carrier with your portmanteau. The Doctor says he will allow none of his friends so much as a night gown or slippers for the road, so a shirt and cravat in your pocket is all you must think of in his new scheme. His servant may be bribed to make room for that. You shall have a shorter and less bridle sent down on Saturday, and the other shall be returned in due time. The taylor shall be chastised if 'tis really negligence in his art, but if 'tis only vapours, you must beg pardon. The linnen and stockings out of your portmanteau may go with the bridle. I forgot to tell you that the third day is to be Oxford University, and the Monday following to Sir W. Windham's.

The French king has been indisposed, and methinks he is in an ill way, &c.-Service to every body.

DEAR MR. P.

LETTER C.

FROM THE SAME.

Your, etc.

Tuesday 2.

THOUGH I have not a syllable to say of more certainty than the last post, yet I write.-I hold myself in readiness, in spite of a demand for pictures.

The Counsellor Bick has purchased a nag for his equipage, and waits our motions. He was here

yesterday, and to-morrow, Wensday evening, we are to taste Devonshire cyder with Mr. Applestone at his lodgings.

The Court opiniate it that the Pis coming.— They have no account of Ormond's arrival in France, though they have certain intelligence that he went off at Shoreham, in Sussex, ten days ago. I design to know Arbuthnot's determination to-morrow. Service to every body.

I am, etc.

LETTER CI.

FROM THE SAME.

Wensday, 11 o'clock at Noon.

LADY Mary Wy ordered me by an express this Wensday morning, sedente Gayo et ridente Fortescuvio, to send you a letter, or some other proper notice, to come to her on Thursday, about five o'clock, which I suppose she meant in the evening. Gay designed to have been with you to-day, and I would have had him delivered this welcome message, but he durst not venture to answer for your coming upon his asseverations, you having interchangeably so accustomed yourselves to lying, that you cannot believe one another, though upon never so serious an occasion. He will be ready to go back with you. Fortescue's service and mine to all. We are Yours, etc.

DEAR MR. POPE,

LETTER CII.

FROM THE SAME.

I INTENDED to have breakfasted with James Eckersall at Drayton, but heard by the way of his being in London, so I jogg'd to Hammersmith in 5 hours and a half without drawing bit. Yesterday I gave a printed proposal to Lord Halifax, and spoke to the Duke of Devonshire to join my Lord Wharton's interest, and move your affair, that we may set 'em a going about the counties.

I have not yet seen the dear Archdeacon, who is at his old lodgings in St. James's place, nor the Dean; but have just read a thing entitled a Prefatory Epistle, concerning some remarks to be published on Homer's Iliad, occasioned by the proposals of Mr. Pope towards a new English Version of that poem-To the Rev. Dr. Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's-by Richd. Fiddes, B. D. Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Earl of Oxford.-'Aμáornμ' ev'yevés— Long.-To Mr. Pope from the author, in manuscript.-All the foregoing elegances at proper distances, and Italianized according to form. It came too late for the coach, and is too big for my privileges of frank---8vo. 120 pages---marbled paper.

it

I find so many party strokes in it, that I am afraid may do your proposals more harm than good.

My Lord Halifax talked of a design to send for you to Bushy-Park, I believe with a coach-and-six, or light chaise, but did not name the precise time.-

I publish your having done the first book and begun -I received the cloak bag safe-I hope you did not pay carriage. I can't yet guess when I shall be ready for Sir William's service.

I am, etc.

DEAR MR. POPE,

LETTER CIII.

FROM THE SAME.

I HAD your last in due time.

Shall I send you the 1007. in bills or cash? and when?

Gay had a copy of the Farewell, with your injunctions. No other extant.

Lord Harvey had the Homer and letter, and bids me thank the author.

I hear nothing of the Sermon. The generality will take it for the Dean's, and that will hurt neither you nor him.

Gay will be with you on Saturday next. He also works hard.

Your old sword went with the carrier, and was tyed to the other things with a cord, and my folks say very fast. You must make the carrier responsible. Mine will swear to the delivery, &c.

No books for you from Lintot.

Mrs. Raines, a young lady in the city, and one of my shepherdesses, takes one of the volumes, has paid her 2 guineas, and is to be a subscriber in your next list.

I also got 2 guineas from the Marquis of Dorchester.

Philip sent me a note for receipts to be conveyed to the 11 members of the late Hanover club. Pray let me have their names by the first. I send to Mr. Merrils to day, &c.

Lintot sent me Tickell's Homer for your government. I could not forbear comparing, and do not know what the devil is got into my head, but I fancy I could make a more poetical translation in a fortnight (excepting a very few lines).

It seems it's publisht merely to show as a specimen of his ability for the Odysses. Fortescue would have Gay publish a version of the first book of the Odysses, and tell the world 'tis only to bespeak their approbation and favour for a translation of Statius, or any other poet. In short, we are merry, whether we are wise or no.-My respects to dear Sir William, and his good lady and son, and am concerned for any deficiency in his countenance, but I am in no pain for the paltry Basso Relievo.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER CIV.

FROM

Yours, etc.

Saturday Night.

I REALLY intended to have been with you today; but having been disappointed yesterday of meeting Mr. Selwyn, and going to the Exchequer