I want fadly to talk to you about a thoufand Things. I have fome Notion of spending a Week at Mr. D-'s. Act fublimely, and give me the Meeting then, notwithstanding.

Though I was enamoured with the Politeness of Mr. W-'s Conversation, I should not, perhaps, have been very forward to express my Sentiments, if you had not intimated, that he made favourable mention of me. I begin to grow a little pleased with Prudence, and I think it a Debt one owes her, to referve one's Encomiums till one knows any one's mutual Sentiments; for certainly, he that happens to commend an Enemy, happens to condemn himfelf. I beg my Compliments.

I elieve poor J. D is alive-Farther I c. nnot learn.

I did not think it poffible, I could have len fo much engaged by love as I have beenof ate.-Poor Mifs C-!

It

It must neceffarily be an Honour to a Girl, to have pleased a Man of Senfe, (I know not but I am vain in fuppofing myself of that Number) let his Station be how low foever. Now it must be a Difgraee to captivate a Fool, however high it be; the former is the strongest Evidence of Merit, the latter of the Want of it.

Now I talk of Vanity, I beseech you never check yourself in your Letters-I don't purpose it; and I think it makes as pretty a Figure in the Letters of a Man of Tafte, as it does in the Embroidery of a Beau. I am as much yours, as human Nature will admit of

LETTER V.

W. SHENSTONE, Efq. to -.

Dear Sir,

WHE

HEN I promifed you fome Poetry for Mr. S, I am afraid that, through my Defire of recommending myself to his Family, my Tongue out-run my Wit. If I laid any Sort of Stress upon what I was to fend, I am very fure it did fo; and when you have read the Trifles enclosed, you will be of the same Opinion.

It is probable, however, that I had an Eye to a larger Ode of mine, upon the Subject of rural Elegance, which I have not now Time either to correct or to transcribe; but which I will not fail to communicate to them upon fome future Occafion.

Or if my Promife regarded a Translation of the Mottos bere, I fhall have the best Opportunity of performing it, when I take the Free

doms

doms you have allowed me, with your polite Description of my Farm.

Am I wrong in detaining that Paper?For pofitively, these last few Days I have found myfelf a good deal feverish, and my Head has been so much confused, that I was almost tempted to omit this Meffage. In this Cafe, I think your Good-nature would have acquitted me of Difrefpect: but I could not fuffer you to leave the Country with fo bad an Opinion of my punctuality.

It remains, that I prefent my best Respects to Dr. TURTON and his Lady, and that I wish you an agreeable Journey to Oxford. I purpose, in a few Weeks, that you shall be enabled to fay fomething more particular, in Regard to M-'s Poetry; in the mean Time, I defire that he would accept my Compliments, and my Thanks for the Pleasure his Verfes have afforded me. Above all Things, affure Mr. ARNOLD of my most unfeigned Esteem; and if he discovers any Partiality for my Place or me, encourage it, that it may induce him, on a proper Occafion, to favour me once more

with his Company. You fee, I am availing myfelf of your Interet, to make all your Friends my own; and to atone for this Piece of Selfishness, it shall not be my Fault, if every Friend I have be not yours, at leaft, with fome Share of that Regard with which I am,

dear Sir,

your most faithful, humble Servant, W. SHENSTONE.

I

LETTER VI.

Mr. WHISTLER to W. SHENSTONE, Efq.

Dear Sir,

Received your agreeable Letter; read all the fine Things your (I fear prejudiced) Goodnature made you fay; at firft diftrufted them: but when I reflected on the Perfon who faid them, I found a ftrong Inclination rife in me to believe them; but how to be convinced I was still at a Lofs; for I know it is in your Power, either to make Flattery pass for Sincerity, or Sincerity (fo juftly dreaded from

the