LETTER CLXIV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

I

DEAR MADAM,

August 4, 1777

DID not mean to express much discontent nor any ill-humour in my letter. When I went away I knew that I went partly because I had talked of going, and because I was. a little reftlefs. I have been fearching the library for materials for my Lives, and a little I have got.

Things have not gone quite well with poor Gwynne. His work was finifhed fo ill that he has been condemned to pay three hundred pounds for damages, and the fentence is confidered as very mild. He has however not loft his friends, and is ftill in the best houses, and at the best tables.

I fhall enquire about the harvest when I come into a region where any thing neceffary to life is underftood. I do not believe that there is yet any great harm, if the weather

fhould

fhould now mend. Reaping time will only be a little later than is usual.

Dr. Wetherell is abroad, I think at London; Mr. Coulson is here, and well. Every body that knows you, enquires after you.

Bofwell's project is difconcerted, by a visit from a relation of Yorkshire, whom he mentions as the head of his clan. Bofzy, you know, makes a huge bustle about all his own motions, and all mine. I have inclosed a letter to pacify him, and reconcile him to the uncertainties of human life.

I believe it was after I left your house, that I received a pot of orange marmalade from Mrs. Bofwell. We have now, I hope, made it up. I have not opened my pot.

I have determined to leave Oxford to-morrow, and on Thursday hope to fee Lichfield, where I mean to reft till Dr. Taylor fetches me to Afhbourne, and there I am likely enough to ftay till you bid me come back to London.

I am, &c.

LETTER CLXV.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

ON

Lichfield, Auguft 7, 1777.

N Tuesday I left Oxford, and came to Birmingham. Mr. Hector is well; Mrs. Careless was not at home. Yesterday I came hither. Mrs. Porter is well. Mrs. Afton, to whom I walked before I fat down, is very ill, but better. Whether fhe will recover I know not. If the dies I have a great lofs. Mr. Green is well, and Mrs. Adey; more I have not yet feen. At Birmingham I heard of the death of an old friend, and at Lichfield of the death of another. Anni prædantur euntes. One was a little older, the other a little younger than myfelf.

But amidst these privations the present muft ftill be thought on, we must act as if we were to live. My barber, a man not unintelligent, fpeaks magnificently of the harvest; and Frank, whom I ordered to make his obferva

tions, noted fields of very fine fhew as we paffed along.

Lucy thinks nothing of my prologue for Kelly, and fays fhe has always difowned it. I have not let her know my transactions with Dr. Dodd. She fays, fhe takes Mifs's correfpondence very kindly.

I am, &c.

LETTER CLXVI.

To Mrs. THRA L E.

DEAR MADAM,

Lichfield, August 9, 1777.

No great matter has happened fince I wrote, but this place grows more and more barren of entertainment. Two whom I hoped to have feen are dead. I think that I am much more unwieldy and inert than when I was here laft; my nights are very tedious. But a light heart, &c.

Lucy faid, "When I read Dr. Dodd's fermon to the prifoners I faid, Dr. Johnson "could not make a better."

One

One of Lucy's maids is dreadfully tormented by the tænia, or long-worm. She has taken many medicines without effect, and it is much wished that she could have the Knightsbridge powder. I will pay for it, if you, dear Madam, will be fo kind as to procure it, and fend it with directions. Can it be franked? If it cannot, the best way will be to unite it with fomething of greater bulk. I have promised Lucy to give her Cook's last voyage, for fhe loves prints; but the laft voyage cannot be well understood without fome knowledge of the former. If you will lend us Hawkefworth's books, they shall be carefully returned. If you will do this for us, the powders may be easily put up with the books.

Please to make my compliments to Master, and to Queeney.

VOL. I.

A a

I am, &c.