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 same 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 excuse, "that they were written very young, and the folly was foon

After this candid cenfure, passed 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 so beautiful, as that which you have formed in a certain heart of my acquaintance. Indeed it was but juft that the finest lines in nature should be drawn upon the moft durable ground, and none could ever be met with, that would fo readily receive, or so 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 thefe 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 some resemblance of you; but I have been fo long ufed to lofe my judgment at the fight of you that it is past 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 fpirit 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 ease and pleasure. I am, etc.

LETTER II.

IT 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 confent. Perhaps you wonder why this is addressed 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, becaufe you are younger than your mother. Secondly, becaufe I fancy you spell better, as having been at fchool later. Thirdly, because

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

They were purpofely omitted by Pope.

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 honeft 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 spleen: if you look upon trees, they clasp in embraces; birds and beasts 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 distance. 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

when your Minister fends me word you have the fmall-pox, a good many freckles, or are very pale, I will defire him to give thanks for it in your parish church; which as foon as he fhall inform me he has done, I will make you a visit without armour: I will eat any thing you give me without fufpicion of poifon, take you by the hand without gloves, nay venture to follow into an arbour without calling the company. This, Madam, is the top of my wifhes, but how dif ferently are our defires inclined! You figh out, in the ardour of your heart, Oh play-houses, parks, operas, affemblies, London! I cry with rapture, Oh woods, gardens, rookeries, fifh-ponds, arbours! Mrs. M

you

LETTER III.

TO A LADY.

[Written on one column of a letter, while Lady M. wrote: to the Lady's Husband on the other.]

THE wits would fay, that this must needs be a dull letter because it is a married one. I am afraid indeed you will find, what spirit there is, must be on the fide of the wife, and the husband's part, as usual, will prove the dulleft. What an unequal pair are put together in this sheet? in which, though we fin, it is

you must do penance. When you look on both fides

of