LETTER CLXXVIII.

To Mrs.

THRA L E.

DEAR MADAM,

OSWELL is

BOSWELL

Afhbourne, Sept. 25, 1777

and is, I hope, pleased

gone; that he has been here; though to look on any thing with pleasure is not very common. He has been gay and good-humoured in his ufual way, but we have not agreed upon any other expedition. He had spent more money than he intended, and I fupplied him; my deficiencies are again made up by Mr. Thrale's bill, for which I thank him.

I will fend directions to the taylor to make me fome cloaths according to Mr. Thrale's direction, though I cannot go with you to Brighthelmstone, having loitered away the time I know not how; but if you would have me, I will endeavour to follow you, which upon the whole may perhaps be as well. I am here now on the 25th, and am obliged by promise to take Lichfield in my way, fo that the 30th will come upon me too foon.

The

The Levet that has been found in the regifter must be fome other Levet; I dare fay our friend does not in his heart believe that it as he.

I am glad that the Benedictines found you at laft. Father Wilkes, when he was amongst us, took Oxford in his way. I recommended him to Dr. Adams, on whom he impreffed a high opinion of his learning. I am glad that my cell is reserved. I may perhaps fome time or other visit it, though I cannot easily tell why one should go to Paris twice. Our own beds are foft enough. Yet my mafter will tell you, that one wants to be doing something. I have fomething like a longing to fee my master's performances; a pleasure which I fhall hardly have till he returns from Brighthelmstone. I beg that before you go, you will fend the Bibliographia Britannica to my habitation.

I am, &c.

P. S. Let your

next be fent to Lichfield.

VOL. I.

C c

1

LETTER CLXXIX.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

Ashbourne, Sept. 27, 1777.

I

THINK I have already told you that Bof. is gone. The day before he went, we met the Duke and Duchefs of Argyle in the ftreet, and went to speak to them while they changed horses; and in the afternoon Mrs. Langton and Juliet ftopped in their way to London, and fent for me; I went to them, and fent for Bofwell, whom Mrs. Langton had never seen.

And fo, here is this poft without a letter. I am old, I am old, fays Sir John Falstaff. "Take heed, my dear, youth flies apace." You will be wanting a letter fometime. I wish I were with but I cannot come yet.

you,

-Nives et frigora Rheni

Me fine fola vides: Ah, ne te frigora lædant! Ah, tibi ne teneras glacies fecet afpera plantas! ECL. X.

I wish

and all; and

I wish you well; Bfhall be glad to know your adventures. Do not however think wholly to escape me; you will, I hope, fee me at Brighthelmstone. Dare you answer me, as Brutus answered his evil genius?

I know not when I fhall write again, now you are going to the world's end. Extra anni folifque vias, where the post will be a long time in reaching you. 1 shall, notwithstanding all diftance, continue to think on you, and to please myself with the hope of being once again,

Ꮇ Ꭺ Ꭰ Ꭺ Ꮇ,

Your most humble fervant.

LETTER CLXXX.

Το Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

ΑΝ

Afhbourne, Michaelmafs day, 1777.

ND so because you hear that Mrs. Defmoulines has written, you hold it not neceffary to write; as if fhe could write like you, or I were equally content with hearing from her. Call you this, backing your friends? She did write, and I remember nothing in her letter, but that she was difcontented that I wrote only Madam to her, and Dear Madam to Mrs. Williams. Without any great dearness in the comparison, Williams is, I think, the dearer of the two. I am glad that the mends, but I am afraid she cannot get the start of the seafon, and Winter will come before she is prepared for it.

But at Streatham there are dears and dears, who before this letter reaches them will be at Brighthelmftone. Wherever they be, may they have no uneafinefs but for want of me.

Now