LETTER CCLXXXIV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAREST MADAM,

April 30, 1782.

I HAVE had a fresh cold and been very poorly. But I was yesterday at Mr. Hoole's, where were Mifs Reynolds and many others. I am going to the club.

Since Mrs. Garrick's invitation I have a letter from Miss Moore, to engage me for the evening. I have an appointment to Mifs Monkton, and another with Lady Sheffield at Mrs. Way's.

Two days ago Mr. Cumberland had his third night, which, after all expences, put into his own pocket five pounds. He has loft his plume.

Mrs. S refused to fing, at the Duchess of Devonshire's request, a fong to the Prince of Wales. They pay for the neither princi

pal nor intereft; and poor Garrick's funeral expences are yet unpaid, though the undertaker is broken. Could you have a better purveyor for a little fcandal? But I wish I was at Streatham. beg Miss to come early, and I may perhaps reward you with more mischief.

I am, dearest and dearest Lady,

Your, &c.

I

LETTER

LETTER CCLXXXV.

MADAM,

To Mrs. THRAL E.

May 8, 1782.

YESTERDAY I was all fo bonny, as who but

me? At night my cough drove me to diacodium, and this morning I fufpect that diacodium will drive me to fleep in the chair. Breath however is better, and I shall try to escape the other bleeding, for I am of the chymical fect, which holds phlebotomy in abhorrence.

But it is not plenty nor diminution of blood that can make me more or lefs,

My deareft dear Lady,

Your, &c.

I fend my compliments to my dear Queeney.

LETTER CCLXXXVI.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

MADAM,

London, June 4, 1782.

WISELY was it faid by him who faid it first,

that this world is all ups and downs. You know, deareft Lady, that when I preft your hand at part

ing I was rather down. When I came hither, I ate my dinner well, but was fo harraffed by the cough, that Mr. Strahan said, it was an extremity which he could not have believed without the fenfible and true avouch of his own obfervation. I was indeed almoft finking under it, when Mrs. Williams happened to cry out that fuch a cough fhould be stilled by opium or any means. I took yesterday half an ounce of bark, and knew not whether opium would counteract it, but remembering no prohibition in the medical books, and knowing that to quiet the cough with opium was one of Lawrence's laft orders, I took two grains, which gave me not fleep indeed, but reft, and that reft has given me ftrength and courage.

This morning to my bed-fide came dear Sir Richard. I told him of the opium, and he approved it, and told me, if I went to Oxford, which he rather advifed, that I fhould ftrengthen the conftitution by the bark, tame the cough with opium, keep the body open, and fupport myself by liberal nutriment.

As to the journey I know not that it will be neceffary, define mollium tandem querularum.This day I dined upon fkate, pudding, goofe, and your afparagus, and could have eaten more, but was prudent.

Pray for me, dear Madam; 1 hope the tide has turned. The change that I feel is more than I durft have hoped, or than I thought poffible; but there has yet not paffed a whole day, and I may rejoice perhaps too foon. Come and fee me, and when you think beft, upon due confideration, take me away.

LETTER CCLXXXVII.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM.

Oxford, June 12, 1782.

My letter was perhaps peevish, but it was not

Y

unkind. I fhould have cared little about a wanton expreffion, if there had been no kindness.

I find no particular falubrity in this air, my respiration is very laborious; my appetite is good, and my fleep commonly long and quiet; but a very little motion difables me.

I dine to-day with Dr. Adams, and to-morrow with Dr. Wetherel. Yefterday Dr. Edwards invited fome men from Exeter college, whom I liked very well. These variations of company help the mind, though they cannot do much for the body. But the body receives fome help from a cheerful mind.

Keep up fome kindness for me; when I am with you again, I hope to be lefs burthenfome, by being lefs fick.

I am, dearest Lady,

Your, &c.

LETTER

LETTER CCLXXXVIII.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

Oxford, June 13, 1782,

YESTERDAY a little physick drove away a

great part of my cough, but I am still very much obftructed in my refpiration, and fo foon tired with walking, that I have hardly ventured one unneceffary step. Of my long illness much more than this does not remain, but this is very burthenfome. I fleep pretty well, and have appetite enough, but I cheat it with fish.

Yesterday I dined at Dr. Adams's with Mifs More, and other perfonages of eminence. Today I am going to Dr. Wetherel? and thus day goes after day, not wholly without amusement.

I think not to stay here long. Till I am better it is not prudent to fit long in the libraries, for the weather is yet fo cold, that in the penury of fuel, for which we think ourselves very unhappy, I have yet met with none fo frugal as to fit without fire.

I am, Madam,

Your, &c.

Poor Davis complained that he had not received

his money for Boyle.

LETTER