Pope never appears to so much disadvantage, as when he writes to the Ladies. Thefe Letters, in particular, are constrained, affected, full of falfe wit, and falfe gaiety, and in every thing the reverse of what he wished them to appear, the natural effufions of lively and gallant feelings. He certainly was fenfible of this, as will be seen by his own confeffion, and they were indeed written chiefly at an early age; but as they were published, and with fome care (by leaving out paffages that might be thought offenfive, and correcting others), it is plain he was not indifferent to them in his latter days, though it muft have been very ftrange if he was not aware how vainly laboured they were.

LETTERS

ΤΟ

SEVERAL LADIES'.

LETTER I.

I

Madam,

March 1, 1705.

SEND you the book of rudiments of Drawing, which you were pleased to command, and think myself obliged to inform you at the fame time of one of the many excellencies you poffefs without knowing of them. You are but too good a Painter already; and

no

Most of these were printed without the Author's confent, and no doubt are the fame upon which the cenfure is paffed in the Preface," That they have too much of a juvenile ambition of "wit, and affectation of gaiety." And it is pleaded in excufe, "that they were written very young, and the folly was foon "over." POPE.

After this candid cenfure, paffed by our Author himself, on the fucceeding Thirty-three Letters to feveral Ladies, it would be invidious to fay any thing more of their being very unworthy of him; always excepting the laft, to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, on her marriage, which is full of gallantry and elegance. WARTON.

It is faid in the Contents, that all thefe Letters were written to the fame. That cannot be, for the Lady here certainly is not Mifs Blount, as fhe is defcribed of the age of three and twenty, and as having had a child fix years before.

no picture of Raphael's was ever fo beautiful, as that which you have formed in a certain heart of my acquaintance. Indeed it was but juft that the fineft lines in nature fhould be drawn upon the most durable ground, and none could ever be met with, that would fo readily receive, or fo faithfully retain them, as this Heart. I may boldly fay of it, that you will not find its fellow in all the parts of the body in this book. But I must complain to you of my hand, which is an arrant traitor to my heart; for having been copying your picture from thence and from Kneller these three days, it has done all poffible injury to the fineft face that ever was made, and to the livelieft image that ever was drawn. I have imagination enough in your absence, to trace fome resemblance of you; but I have been so long used to lose my judgment at the fight of you that it is paft my power to correct it by the life. Your picture feems leaft like when placed before your eyes; and, contrary to all other pictures, receives a manifest disadvantage by being fet on the fairest light in the world. The Painters are a very vain generation, and have a long time pretended to rival nature; but to own the truth to you, fhe made fuch a finished piece about three and twenty years ago, (I beg your pardon, Madam; I proteft, I meant but two and twenty,) that 'tis in vain for them any longer to contend with her. I know you indeed made one fomething like it, betwixt five and fix years paft: 'twas a little girl, done with abundance of spirit and life,

and

and wants nothing but time to be an admirable piece: but, not to flatter your work, I don't think it will ever come up to what your father made. However I would not discourage you; 'tis certain you have a ftrange happiness, of making fine things of a fudden and at a stroke, with incredible eafe and pleasure. I am, etc.

IT

LETTER II.

*

is too much a rule in this town, that when a lady has once done a man a favour, he is to be rude to her ever after. It becomes our fex to take upon us twice as much as yours allow us: by this method I may write to you most impudently, because you once answered me modeftly; and if you should never do me that honour for the future, I am to think (like a true coxcomb) that your filence gives consent. Perhaps you wonder why this is addreffed to you rather than to Mrs. M-, with whom I have the right of an old acquaintance, whereas you are a fine lady, have bright eyes, etc. First, Madam, I make choice of you rather than of your mother, because you are younger than your mother. Secondly, because I fancy you spell better, as having been at school later. Thirdly, because

*We cannot but regret the want of a date and address to all these letters.

They were purposely omitted by Pope.

WARTON.

because you have nothing to do but to write if you please, and poffibly it may keep you from employing yourself worse it may fave fome honest neighbouring gentleman from three or four of your peftilent glances. Caft your eyes upon paper, Madam, there you may look innocently: men are feducing, books are dangerous, the amorous ones foften you, and the godly ones give you the fpleen: if you look upon trees, they clafp in embraces; birds and beafts make love: the fun is too warm for your blood; the moon melts you into yielding and melancholy. Therefore I fay once more, caft your eyes upon paper, and read only fuch letters as I write, which convey no darts, no flames, but proceed from innocence of foul, and fimplicity of heart. Thank God, I am an hundred miles off from those eyes! I would fooner trust your hand than them for doing me mischief; and though I doubt not fome part of the rancour and iniquity of your heart will drop into your pen, yet fince it will not attack me on a fudden and unprepared, fince I may have time while I break open your letter to cross myself and say a Pater-nofter, I hope Providence will protect me from all you can attempt at this diftance. I am told you are at this hour as handsome as an angel; for my part, I have forgot your face fince two winters. You may be grown to a giantess for all I know. I can't tell in any respect what fort of creature you are, only that you are a very mischievous one, whom I shall ever pray to be defended from. But