tify myself. I fhould have never have forgiven myself, if I had been the Cause, though inadvertently, of dividing fo much Worth as I have always discovered in you both, and which though separated, it might ftill continue to blefs me, yet when united, like most other Things, it has a more powerful Effect. I would not have Mr. G― know a Word of this, for the most trifling Reflection, when told again, is offenfive; nor fhould I have faid what I did, but to a common Friend; in Truth, it is not every-body who poffibly might feel it fo acutely as myself; but you know my Difpofition. I have a Senfibility in my Friendships, that arifes even to a Soreness, and the flightest Air of Coolness makes me wince. This, though in its Confequences fometimes it may render me unpleafing to my Intimates, certainly has its Source in a Merit, namely, in the Ardour of my Attachments; and therefore I should hope is eafily pardonable. You remember the elegant Line in COTTON's beautiful Vifion of Friendship;

Cold is the only Ill they fear."

After

After I had fealed my laft, I was afraid it had rather an Air of Compliment than Since rity; if it had, I affure you, it was only the Air, and what the Good-humour, I am always in when I write to you, might infpire me with. You fee the Efteem I have for you, by turning Critic on myself in your Behalf. Ì am now going to mention, what there is no Occafion at all to fay, but Friendship is the most incontinent Thing in the World; I have long been fenfible of your Worth; that is, ever fince I knew you; but I must fay, I think it was our laft Meeting which entirely united me to you; every Letter of yours fince has heightened my Affection for you. I look upon this as my first Abfence from you; your Letters are now neceffary to fupply your Prefence; you yourself taught me this Tafte of Luxury, therefore it is but reafonable you fhould fupport the Expence. In fhort, I beg you would write foon. I am afraid I fhall tire you by fo frequent a Correspondence, but I particu larly long to know the Succefs of this Letter. Dear Mr. SHENSTONE, I am yours, &c. A. WHISTLER. LE T

LETTER XVIII.

W. SHENSTONE, Efq. to Mifs Lowe.

Madam,

I

Fancy I've been condemned a Thousand Times, on Account of not fending the Tunes. One of them was lent out, and I had not an Opportunity of fetching it till laft Week. I don't know whether this Reason will prove fufficient, but I affure you it was the real one. I tore them out of my Book, and on that Account you have fome others with them. I was willing you fhould have them in the best Shape poffible, and dare fay, you'll improve as much upon them, as I have degenerated from them.

I want exceedingly to hear from you; but you will scarce think it confiftent with a rural Reputation to write yourfelf. 'Tis, indeed, fcarce worth while to hazard it, to give me

ever

ever fo great a Pleasure, but I could wish you would here remember the Character of a Town-Lady.-Lord! How does Mifs Ury? I did not wonder you fhould mutually envy each other, fince you are both fo great Objects of Envy more particularly, as Modesty has taught you to think your own Merit fmall in Comparison with that of others. Voilà la feule Source de toute Envie !-I'm furely vaftly impertinent, for I'm not pofitive you understand French: but I guess'd that a Lady, fo accomplished in all other Particulars, might. I fancy you've enjoy'd a vast deal of agreeable Gaiety fince I left you, whilft I have been wandering about Harborough's gloomy Walks and Pools, like a Shepherd "defpairing befide a clear Stream." -Oh! I want to know, whether or no, for the common Good of our Society in particular, as of our Country in general, it is, and may be lawful to admit, without the ufual Number of Members being prefent at the Solemnity; for I judge it better to lay afide fome Part of the Ceremony, than that any one fhould die uninitiated-Whether or no as in Baptifin-I was truly going too far.-I am fafe

fafe enough, let me go what Lengths I will, in fubfcribing myself

the humbleft of

your humble Servants,

W. SHENSTONE.

LETTER XIX.

W. SHENSTONE, Efq. to Mrs. A

Dear Madam,

Promised to give you fome Account what

became of Cheltenham, after Mr. A- had pillaged it of all that was most valuable. Poffibly before this Time, you may have forgot both my Promife and me, and it may not be extremely political to renew your Remembrance of a Perfon who has been fo long feemingly neglectful. The Truth is, I can no more bear to be forgot by thofe I esteem, than I VOL. II. F

can