The hurt in my leg has grown well flowly, according to Hector's prognoftick, and feems now to be almost healed: but my nights are very restlefs, and the days are therefore heavy, and I have not your converfation to cheer them.

I am willing however to hear that there is happiness in the world, and delight to think on the pleasure diffused among the Burneys. I question if any fhip upon the ocean goes out attended with more good wifhes than that which carries the fate of Burney. I love all of that breed whom I can be faid to know, and one or two whom I hardly know I love upon credit, and love them becaufe they love each other. Of this confanguineous unanimity I have never had much experience; but it appears to me one of the great lenitives of life; but it has this deficience, that it is never found when diftrefs is mutual-He that has lefs than enough for himself has nothing to spare, and as every man feels only his own neceffities, he is apt to think thofe of others lefs preffing, and to accuse them of with-holding what in truth they cannot give. He that has his foot firm upon dry ground may pluck another out of the water; but of thofe that are all afloat, none has any care but for himself.

We do not hear that the deanery is yet given away, and, though nothing is faid, I believe much is ftill thought about it. Hope travels through

I am, dearest of all dear Ladies,

Your, &c.

LETTER

LETTER CCLXXV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

Afhbourne, Nov. 24, 1781.

I SHALL leave this place about the beginning of next week, and fhall leave every place as faft as I decently can, till I get back to you, whofe kindness is one of my great comforts. I am not well, but have a mind every now and then to think myself better, and I now hope to be better under your care.

It was time to fend Kam to another master; but I am glad that before he went he beat Hector, for he has really the appearance of a superior species to an animal whofe whole power is in his legs, and that against the most defenceless of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Dr. Taylor really grows well, and directs his compliments to be fent. I hope Mr. Perkins will be well too.

But why do you tell me tell me nothing of your own health? Perhaps fince the fatal pinch of fnuff I may have no care about it. I am glad that you have returned to your meat, for I never expected that abftinence would do you good.

Piozzi, I find, is coming in fpite of Mifs Harriet's prediction, or fecond fight, and when he comes and I come, you will have two about you that love you; and I question if either of us heartily care how few more you have. But how many foever they may be, I hope you keep your kindness for me, and I have a great mind to have Queeney's kindness too.

Frank's

Frank's wife has brought him a wench; but I cannot yet get intelligence of her colour, and therefore have never told him how much depends upon it.

The weather here is chill, and the air damp. I have been only once at the water-fall, which I found doing as it used to do, and came away. I had not you nor Queeney with me.

Your, &.

I

LETTER CCLXXVI.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

Lichfield, Dec. 3, 1781.

AM now come back to Lichfield, where I do not intend to stay long enough to receive another letter. I have little to do here but to take leave of Mrs. Afton, I hope not the last leave. But Christians may with more confidence than Sophonifba

Avremo tofto lungo lungo fpazio

Per ftare affieme, et farà forfe eterno.

My time paft heavily at Ashbourne, yet I could not eafily get away, though Taylor, i fincerely think, was glad to fee me go. I have now learned the inconveniences of a winter campaign; but I hope home will make amends for all my foolish fufferings.

VOL. II.

M

I do

I do not like poor Burney's vicarious captainfhip. Surely the tale of Tantalus was made for him. Surely he will be in time a captain like another captain, of a fhip like another fhip.

You have got Piozzi again, notwithstanding pretty Harriet's dire denunciations. The Italian tranflation which he has brought, you will find no great acceffion to your library, for the writer feems to understand very little English. When we meet we can compare fome paffages. Pray contrive a multitude of good things for us to do when we meet. Something that may hold all together; though if any thing makes me love you more, it is going from you,

I am, &c.

LETTER CCLXXVII.

To Mrs. THRAL E...

DEAR MADAM,

I AM

Birmingham, Dec. 8, 1781.

AM come to this place on my way to London and to Streatham. I hope to be in London on Tuesday or Wednesday, and at Streatham on Thursday, by your kind conveyance. I fhall have nothing to relate either wonderful or delightful. But remember that you fent me away, and turned me out into the world, and you must take the chance of finding me better or worfe. This you

may

may know at prefent, that my affection for you is not diminished, and my expectation from you is encreased. Do not neglect me, nor relinquish me. Nobody will ever love you better or honour you more than,

I AM better, but not yet well; but hope fprings

eternal. As foon as I can think myself not troublesome, you may be fure of feeing me, for fuch a place to vifit nobody ever had. Dearest Madam, do not think me worfe than I am; be fure at least, that whatever happens to me, I am 'with all the regard that admiration of excellence and gratitude for kindness can excite,