vet's help, we stopped the ftream, and I lay down again, though to little purpose; the difficulty of breathing allowed no reft. I slept again in the day-time, in an erect posture. The Doctor has ordered me a fecond bleeding, which I hope will fet my breath at liberty. Laft night I could lie but a little at a time.

Yet I do not make it a matter of much form. I was to-day at Mrs. Gardiner's. When I have bled to-morrow, I will not give up Langton, nor Paradise. But I beg that you will fetch me away on Friday. I do not know but clearer air may do me good; but whether the air be clear or dark, let me come to you.

I am, &c.

To fleep, or not to fleep

LETTER CLX.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

MADAM,

BE

March 19, 1777.

E pleased to procure the bearer credit for a linen gown, and let her bring the bill

to me.

Did you ftay all night at Sir Joshua's? and keep Miss up again? Mifs Owen had a fightall the Burkes-the Harris's-Mifs Reynolds -what has fhe to see more? and Mrs. Horneck, and Mifs.

You are all young, and gay, and cafy; but I have miserable nights, and know not how to make them better; but I fhift pretty well. a-days, and fo have at you all at Dr. Burney's

to-morrow.

I never thought of meeting you at Sir Joshua's, nor knew that it was a great day. But things, as fages have obferved, happen unexpectedly; and you thought little of seeing me this fortnight except to-morrow. But go where you will, and fee if I do not catch you.

When

When I am away, every body runs away with you, and carries you among the grifettes, or whither they will. I hope you will find the want of me twenty times before you fee me.

I am, &c.

LETTER CLXI.

To Mr.

THRALE.

DEAR SIR,

TH

April 9, 1777.

HIS is a letter of pure congratulation. I congratulate you,

1. That you are alive.

2. That you have got my mistress fixed again after her excentricities.

3. That my miftrefs has added to her conquests the Prince of Caftiglione.

4. That you will not be troubled with me till to-morrow, when I fhall come with * * * *. 5. That **** * will go away in the evening.

I am,

&c.

1

LETTER CLXII.

To Mrs.

THRALE.

MADAM,

May 19, 1777.

I

HAVE written to Dr. Taylor, you may be fure, but the business is pretty much out of the Doctor's way. His acquaintance with the Lord Cavendishes, he barely knows the young Duke and Duchefs. He will be proud to shew that he can do it; but he will hardly try, if he suspects any danger of refusal.

You will become fuch a gadder, that you will not care a penny for me. However, you are wife in wishing to know what life is made of; to try what are the pleasures which are fo eagerly fought, and fo dearly purchafed. We must know pleasure before we can rationally despise it. And it is not desirable that when you are, with matronal authority, talking down juvenile hopes and maiden paffions, your hearers should tell you, like Mifs P

never saw a fete.”

"You

That you may fee this fhow I have written, because I am, Madam,

Your most humble fervant.

LETTER CLXIII.

To Mr. THRALE.

DEAR SIR,

July 31, 1777.

I

CAME hither on Monday, and find every

thing much as I expected. I fhall not stay long, but if you fend any letters to me on Saturday, to Univerfity College, I fhall receive them. Please to make my compliments to my mistress and Queeney. I have picked up fome little information for my Lives at the library. I know not whether I shall go forward without fome regret. I cannot break my promise to Bofwell and the reft; but I have a good mind to come back again.