three good refolutions; I hope they will not mould upon the road. Who can be this new friend of mine? The letter you fent me was from Mr. Twiffe, and the book, if any come, is Twiffe's travels to Ireland, which you will, I hope, unty and read.

I enclose fome of the powders, left you fhould lose your patient by delay.

I am, &c.

LETTER CLIII.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

May 22, 1776.

ON Friday and Saturday I dined with Dr. Taylor, who is in difcontent, but refolved not to stay much longer to hear the opinions of lawyers who are all against him. Who can blame him for being weary of them?

On Sunday I dined at Sir Joshua's house on the hill, with the Bishop of St. Asaph. The dinner was good, and the Bishop is knowing and converfible. Yesterday at the Doctor's

Doctor's again-very little better.-In the evening came in Dr. Crane, who enquired after you.

All this while * * * * * is hurt only in his vanity. He thought he had fupplanted Mrs. W, and Mrs. W——has found the means of defeating him. He really wanted nothing more than to have the power of bequeathing a reversion to Mr. G——

's fon,

This

who is very nearly related to W——— purity of intention however he cannot prove; and the transaction in itself seems pactum iniquum. I do not think that he can, or indeed that he ought to prevail.

Woodward, I hear, is gone to Bristol, in deep dudgeon at Barret's declaration against Chatterton's productions. You have now only H—, whom you can only make a filent admirer. I hope my friend buzzes a little about you to keep me in your head, though I think I do my part pretty well myself; there are very few writers of more punctuality.

I wish Queeney joy of her new watch; and next time I write, intend myfelf the honour of directing my letter to her. Her hand is now very exact, and when ufe has made it

free, may be very beautiful.

I am glad of Mr. Thrale's refolution to take up his reftes* in perfon. He is wife in keeping the trade in his own hands, and appearing on proper occafions as the principal agent. Every man has thofe about him who wish to footh him into inactivity and delitefcence, nor is there any semblance of kindnefs more vigorously to be repelled than that which voluntarily offers a vicarious performance of the tasks of life, and confpires with the natural love of ease against diligence and perfeverance.

While I was holding my pen over the laft period, I was called down to Father Wilks the Benedictine, and Father Brewer a Doctor of the Sorbon, who are come to England, and are now wandering over London. I have invited them to dine with me to-morrow. Father Cowley is well; and Mrs. Strickland is at Paris. More than this I have not yet learned. They ftay, I think, here but a little time.

I have fent your last parcel of powders, and hope foon to come myself.

I am, &c.

* When the mafter brewer goes round to his victuallers once a year, in order to examine the ftate of the trade, and the ftock left on the hands of the alehoufe-keeper, the expreffion used in the profeffion is, that he takes up his reftes; a word borrowed from the French, and means the remainder-les reftes.

LETTER CLIV.

Το Mr. THRAL E.

DEAR SIR,

You

June 3, 1776.

ou are all, I fuppofe, now either at one home or the other, and all I hope well. My mistress writes as if she was afraid I should make too much hafte to fee her. Pray tell her that there is no danger. The lameness, of which I made mention in one of my notes, has improved to a very ferious and troublefome fit of the gout. I creep about and hang by both hands. Johnny Wilcocks might be my running footman. I enjoy all the dignity

of lameness.

I receive ladies and dismiss them

fitting. Painful pre-eminence.

Baretti is at laft mentioned in one of the Reviews, but in a manner that will not give him much delight. They are neither angry

nor civil,

Catcot has been convinced by Barret, and has written his recantation to Tyrwhitt, who

VOL. I.

Ꮓ

ftill

ftill perfifts in his edition of the poems, and perhaps is not much pleased to find himself mistaken.

You are now, I fuppofe, bufy about your reftes; I heartily with you, dear Sir, a happy perambulation, and a good account of the trade; and hope that you and my mistress, as you come by, will call upon, Sir,

Your, &c.

LETTER CLV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

June 4, at night.

THE world is indeed full of troubles, and

we must not chufe for ourselves. But I am not fincerely forry that in your present state of mind you are going to be immediately a mother. Compofe your thoughts, diverfify your attention, and attend your health.

If I can be of any ufe, fend for me; I think I can creep to the end of the court, and climb into a coach, though perhaps not very easily;