LETTER CCXVI.

To Mrs. T HRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

London, Oct. 25, 1779.

LET me repair an injury done by misinfor

mation to Mr. Bowen. He had at first indeed only thirty, that is, two fhares; but he afterwards purchased two fhares more. So all that he fays I suppose is true.

On Saturday I walked to Dover-ftreet, and back. Yesterday I dined with Sir Joshua. There was Mr. Elliot of Cornwall, who enquired after my master. At night I was bespoken by Lady Lucan; but she was taken ill, and the affembly was put off. I am to dine with Renny to-morrow.

I hope Mr. Thrale fcours the country after the early horn, and at night flutters about the rooms, and once a-day makes a lufty dinner. I eat meat

but once in two days, at most but four times aweek, reckoning feveral weeks together; for it is neither neceffary nor prudent to be nice in regimen. Renny told me yesterday, that I look better than when the knew me first.

It is now paft the poftman's time, and I have no letter; and that is not well done, because I long for a letter; and you fhould always let me know whether you and Mr. Thrale, and all the reft, are or are not well. Do not ferve me fo often, becaule your filence is always a disappointment.

Some old gentlewomen at the next door are in very great diftrefs. Their little annuity comes froin Jamaica, and is therefore uncertain; and one of them has had a fall, and both are very VOL. II. helpless;

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helpless; and the poor have you to help them. Perfuade my mafter to let me give them fomething for him. for him. It will be bestowed upon real

want.

I hope all the younglings go on well, that the eldest are very prudent, and the reft very merry. We are to be merry but a little while; Prudence foon comes to spoil our mirth. Old times have bequeathed us a precept, to be merry and wife, but who has been able to obferve it?

There is a very furious fellow writing with might and main against the life of Milton.

I am, &c

LETTER CCXVII.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

London, Oct. 28, 1779.

SOME days before our last separation, Mr. Thrale and I had one evening an earnest discourse about the business with Mr. Scrafe. For myself, you may be fure I am very willing to be useful; but surely all use of fuch an office is at a very great distance. Do not let thofe fears prevail which you know to be unreasonable; a will brings the end of life no nearer. But with this we will have done, and please ourselves with wishing my mafter multos et felices.

C

CL accuses * ✶ of making a party against her play. I always hiffed away the charge, fuppofing him a man of honour; but I fhall now defend him with lefs confidence. Nequid nimis. Horace fays, that Nil admirari is the only thing that can make or keep a man happy. It is with equal truth the only thing that can make or keep a man honeft. The defire of fame not regulated, is as dangerous to virtue as that of money. I hope C- fcorns his little malice. I have had a letter for * which I have inclosed. Do not lose it; for it contains a testimony that there may be fome pleasure in this world; and that I may have a little of the little that there is, pray write to me. I thought your laft letter long in coming.

The two younglings, what hinders them from writing to me. hope they do not forget me. Will Master give me any thing for my poor neighbours? I have had from Sir Jofhua and Mr. Strahan; they are very old maids, very friendless and very helpless.

Mrs. Williams talks of coming home this week from Kingston, and then there will be merry doings.

I eat meat seldom, and take physick often, and fancy that I grow light and airy. A man that does not begin to grow light and airy at feventy, is certainly lofing time, if he intends ever to be light and airy.

I dined on Tuesday with *** and hope her little head begins to fettle. She has, however, fome fcruples about the company of a lady whom The has lately known. I pacified her as well as I could. So no more at prefent; but hoping you are all in good health, as I am at this time of writing, (excufe hafte)

I am, dearest dearest Lady,

LETTER CCXVIII.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

London, Nov. 2, 1779.

THIS day I thought myself sure of a letter, but fo I am conftantly ferved. Mr. Cumberland and Mrs. ** *, and Mrs. Byron, and any body elfe, puts me out of your head; and I know no more of you than if you were on the other fide of the Cafpian. I thought the two young things were to write too; but for them I do not much care.

On Saturday came home Mrs. Williams, neither better nor worse than when fhe went; and I dined at **** 's, and found them well pleased with their Italian journey. He took his Lady and fon, and three daughters. They ftaid five months at Rome. They will have now fomething to talk of.

I gave my poor neighbour your half guinea, and ventured upon making it two guineas at my mafter's expence. Pray, Madam, how do I owe you half a guinea?

I dined on Sunday with Mr. Strahan, and have not been very well for fome little time. Last night I was afraid of the gout, but it is gone today.

There was on Sunday night a fire at the north end of London-bridge, which has, they say, deftroyed the water-work.

Does Mr. Thrale continue to hunt in fields for health unbought? If his tafte of former pleasures returns, it is a ftrong proof of his recovery. When we meet, we will be jolly blades.

I know not well how it has happened, but I have never yet been at the BS.

has

called twice on me, and I have feen fome more fheets and away we go.

MADAM,

SOI

LETTER CC X.

To Mrs. THRALE.

London, Nov. 4, 1779.

may write, and write, and nobody care; but you can write often enough to Dr. Burney. Queeney fent me a pretty letter, to which *** added a filly fhort note, in fuch a filly white hand, that I was glad it was no longer

I had heard before that*** * * had loft not only ten thousand, as you tell me, but twenty thoufand, as you with great confiftency tell Dr. Burney; but knowing that no man can lofe what he has not, I took it little to heart. I did not think of borrowing; and indeed he that borrows money for adventures deferves to lofe it. No man should put into a lottery more than he can spare. Neither D, however, nor B- have given occafion to his lofs.

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