IF F I can make a party with Lord Bolingbroke and Lord Harcourt to dine at Parfons 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. LETTER XCV. SIR GODFREY KNELLER TO MR. POPE. Dear Friend, I HOPE your genus dos and will know myn is with the most acceptable and moft 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 day times by fits; and I believe my left lag will be out of order a good wyle. Pray give my hearty good will to the compa. for the deeds, and my moft humble fervis, being ever yours. I LETTER XCVI. 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. I LETTER XCVII. FROM THE SAME. Dear Mr. Pope, BELIEVE this will be card playrs evning, and we may do how we pleafe. 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. SIR, LETTER XCVIII. FROM THE SAME. From Great Queen-Street, I AM in towne, and have louck'd for beds and bedfteads, 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 your mind. The stables are fitted as you gentlemen ordered them to be, and all the painting will be done to-morrow or Thurfday, with whenfcoating in the quickest manner and beft; and if you can ftay till Saturday let me know your pleasure about the beds and bedsteads, for them I cannot provide. You may have 6, of which two are to have courtins, for 10 pounds a year; and am, giving my moft humble refpects to my Lady Mery Whortly, Your, etc. I thought one might have fuch beds and bedsteads for 4 or 5 pounds a-year; and which I would have done if no rates prop. 1 LETTER XCIX. MR. JERVAS TO MR. POPE. Dear Mr. Pope, August 12, 1715, London. WOULD not have failed by Tuesday's poft, but that the Doctor could not be near pofitive as to the time, but yesterday we met on horfeback and took two or three turns near the camp, partly to see my new horfe's going, and partly to name fomething like the day of fetting forth, and the manner thereof: viz. that on Thursday next (God willing) Doctor A- D. Difney, and C. Jervas rendezvous at Hyde-Park-corner about noon, and proceed to Mr. Hill's, at Eggam, to lodge there on Friday, to meet with Mr. Pope upon the road to proceed together to Lord Stowell's, and there alfo to lodge. The next day, Saturday, to Sir William Windham's, and to reft there the Lord's Day. On Monday, forward again towards Bath, or Wilton, or as we fhall then agree. The Doctor proposes that himself or his man ride my spare horse, and that I leave all equipage to be fent to Bath by the carrier with your portmanteau. The Doctor fays he will allow none of his friends fo much as a night gown or flippers for the road, fo a fhirt and cravat in your pocket is all you muft think of in his new fcheme. His fervant may be bribed to make room for that. You fhall have a fhorter and lefs bridle fent down on Saturday, and the the other fhall be returned in due time. The taylor fhall 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 indifpofed, and methinks he is in an ill way, &c.-Service to every body. LETTER C. FROM THE SAME. Dear Mr. P. Your, etc. Tuesday 2. THOUGH I have not a fyllable to fay of more certainty than the last post, yet I write.—I hold myfelf in readiness, in fpite 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 P is coming.— They have no account of Ormond's arrival in France, though they have certain intelligence that he went off |