ARTES
1817
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TUEBOR
SI-QUÆRIS-PENINSULAM-AMŒNAM”
CIRCUMSPICE
828
C827
1775
THE
CORRESPONDENTS,
A N
ORIGINAL NOVEL.
THE
CORRESPONDENTS,
A N
ORIGINAL NOVEL;
IN
A SERIES OF LETTERS.
-Shake not thine auburn locks at me ;
Thou canst not ſay I did it.-
A NEW EDITIO N.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. BECKET, corner of the
Adelphi, in the Strand.
M D C C LXXV.
!! 10.
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Archich
Difere
10-21-40
41481
ZTVICH
is bangid
THE
CORRESPONDENTS.
I
To *
KNOW too well the melancholy
reafon of your prefent filence, and
do not preſume to interrupt it, or de-
fire you to write till perfectly conve-
nient; but the confideration of this
day's beginning a New Year, induces
me to ſend you my beſt wiſhes (not my
compliments) on that occafion.
I am juſt returned from church, and
there, with the moſt ardent fincerity,
I peti.
B
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
I petitioned that your valuable life
might be prolonged beyond the com-
mon date of humanity that your fen-
fibility might never more be wounded
by the lofs of a friend; that you might
enjoy uninterrupted health and every
fpecies of happiness.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
3
I
To **
HAVE no fuitable return for your
moſt kind with. The fecond article
includes every thing; and is the beſt
condolance I have received; for on
thefe occafions little to the purpoſe can
be faid.
1
As to the reft, when I enjoy health I
am thankful; but there are not many
fpecies of happineſs that I can enjoy.
People in advanced life, as their con-
nexions diffolve, grow indifferent, and
find their attachment to the world de-
creafe daily: the few pleafures they can
reliſh may generally be fafely afforded
them. Your correfpondence is num-
bered among the few that I regard:
will continue it to me, and accept
my fincere acknowledgments.
you
B 3
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To *
T is not probable that I ſhall ever
IT
decline a correfpondence that does
me fo much honour; eſpecially whilſt
I continue to obferve your indulgent
command, of writing "the very firft
thoughts that occur when I take up a
pen."
I have been amufing myſelf theſe
two hours with a piece of embroidery.
This eafy occupation engages the fin-
gers without confining the thoughts;.
fo, after a variety of ideas had ran
through my mind, I began on a fud-
den to review my paſt. life.
I contemplated the chequered fcene
with ftrict attention; and concluded at
3 Y
length,
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
A
length, that the white hours were infi-
nitely more than the dark in number;
and that, far from repining, I had abun-
dant cauſe of thankfulneſs to that good
Providence whofe bounty had exceeded
my defert. Cafting my eyes round,
finding myſelf in a very comfortable
retreat,-independant of the world,-!
enjoying tolerable health,-a few friends
ſtill ſpared to me;-O Memory, thought
I, what but thy annihilation is wanting
to my happineſs! then I could enjoy
theſe various bleffings without the re-
flection of their uncertainty, without the
dread of their fudden lofs.-Here I
broke off my meditation, and endea-
voured to confirm my tranquillity, by
communicating this account of it, which
I know will afford a generous fatisfac-
tion to your benign heart; a fatisfaction
B 3
that
:6
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
4.
that may increaſe, by your recollecting
to whofe advice and affiftance I am
principally indebted for that independ-
ence which is my chief boaft.
You have forbidden acknowledg-
ments; yet allow me this once to ſpeak
my grateful remembrance of the abli
gation, and ſubſcribe myſelf, with the
utmoſt reſpect,
Your moſt devoted, &c.
་
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
7
'
TH
To.. **
HE fubftance of your letter iş a
very agreeable leffon in moral phi-
loſophy; but I wish you had omitted
the conclufion.
&
How often muft 1 re-
peat that you owe me no obligation?
The act of rendering you a ſmall fer-
vice was its own reward; and the endea-
vouring to improve our acquaintance
into friendſhip was to pleaſe myſelf.
Why then do we not converfe upon
equal term? Why any respect? the ut-
most respect, my most devoted? How am
1.to account for the uſe of theſe terms?
Can the trifling and accidental differ-
ence of our rank make any impreffion
on your mind?-Impoffible! - Your
foul is undoubtedly fuperior to that
weakneſs.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I
ᎢᏅ .
SHOULD be very forry if your
aſcribed the marks of my reſpectful.
efteem to a wrong motive; and I think
my foul is fuperior to the weakneſs you
mention.
A
I may feem occafionally humble; a
profound veneration does. fometimes
make an impreffion on my mind; but
it is character, not rank, which excites
that humility and veneration.-You
may remember conducting me, much
nearer the meridian: fplendor of title;
but you' do not remember that I was
dazzled by its rays.-The higheſt rank,
if unaccompanied by that extenfive ge-
nius, thofe exalted talents, that long
and improved acquaintance with thẹ
world,
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
9
world, that perfect and univerfal know-
ledge of men and things, which unite
to form the character of a certain per
fon, could never exact from me that
refpect which I cherifh for him; and
which is not leffened by his acquittal
of my numerous obligations.
10
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
IF
Το
F you have not juſtified yourſelf at
the expence of your fincerity, it is
all very well: but
"O beware, beware of Flattery !
It is a monfter, that like Jealoufy,
Doth make the meat it feeds on.”
Long life, as the gift of providence,
is valuable, if employed to advantage;
but an acquaintance with the world, a
knowledge of mankind, can very fel-
dom procure either reſpect or happineſs.
"He that increaſeth knowledge in-
"creaſeth forrow." Again, fays the
Preacher, "I confidered all travel and
every right work, that for this a man
"is envied of his neighbour. Of
making many books there is no end;
❝ and
$
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
J
"and much ſtudy is wearinefs." I can
not think of theſe things, nor of the
various experiments which I, like him,
have unfuceſsfully made to obtain hap
pineſs, without drawing the fame
five conclufion, that all is vanity,
pen
You fuppofe me well acquainted with
the world. I have feen fomething of it;
enough to be almoſt tired, fince no-
velty has loft its charms. New faſhions,
new cuſtoms, new opinions, are daily
ſtarting up. I cannot adopt them with
the facility of youth. I weigh, ponder,
examine, perhaps reject, them. The
world, that world I am fo perfectly ac-
quainted with,-derides me as an obfti-
nate old fellow, for declining its pre-
fent mode; but pays, no kind of regard
to my uſeleſs experience. Evéry age
thinks
12
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
thinks itſelf wiſer than the former; thề
improvements of every age confirm this
idea. Take care you become not ſo
unfaſhionable, as to regard any thing
but the accomplishments, the wit, the
elegance, the genius, of the prefent
hour!
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
13
To
JR laft letter had very nearly
YOUR
put a period to our correfpond-
ence. "All is vanity!" You are almoſt´
tired of the world! I neither doubt it,
nor wonder, becauſe there are fo few
things, and fo few people in it, that can
poffibly amuſe or engage a mind like
yours. What prefumption in me to at-
tempt either !-It is with reluctance I
fend this. Could I but know the time,
the place, the circumftances, the diſpo-
fition, in which you received my notes
-but to intrude and break in upon
your more important thoughts with fuch
frivolous infignificance!-Perhaps the
very inftant of reading this was devoted
to a better employment. Why do 1
fay
14
HE CORRESPONDENTS.
fay perhaps? there is no doubt of it.
Pardon therefore the interruption; and
reſume (before it is wholly broken) the
thread of your contemplation.
THE - CORRESPONDENTS.
15
I
To
WAS in a very ill humour, had
company with me, and had juſt done
dinner, when your letter was brought.
Ten times more frivolous than that was
the converſation it interrupted; fo I
read it over again and again, till at
length it produced a change in my tem-
per. Your amiable and generous foli-
citude to pleaſe me, infpired me with an
inclination to pleaſe my guests. In pro-
portion as my endeavours fucceeded,
chearfulneſs increaſed; every body
my
feemed to improve; and the evening
went off with tolerable fatisfaction.
So, for this time, becaufe of the
good effect they had on me, I pardon
your diffidence, your doubts, fcruples,
and
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
and apologies; but repeat them not, I
conjure you. Believe, that all times,
in all places and circumſtances, your
letters will be acceptable. Herewith I
return you a pacquet, (October and
December inclufive) and, to fatisfy you
ftill farther, will in future delay open-,
ing them till the proper moment of
leifure.
Adieu ! if you now perfift in apolo-
gies, you are not the perfon I take you
for.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
17
YOU
To *.
OU are not difpleafed with me?
I am and will be the perfon you
take me for: but indeed you could not
have choſen a worſe time for the reſto-
ration of my letters. I have been read-
ing them over as I burnt them, and am
put entirely out of conceit with myſelf.
Such low, trifling, ridiculous ftuff; and
above all, fuch a ſeeming imitation of
your ſtile and manner-Yet I proteſt it
is not an imitation.-Don't laugh at my
vanity.—I mean only that ftyle (very
different from other writing) in which
you honour me with a familiar corre-
fpondence.
I remember you were angry at fuch
an obſervation once before; but I can-
not
3,18
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
not help being ſtill of opinion, that this
mode of expreffion, particularly the
ſhort and interrogatory fentences, how-
ever fuitable to you, do very ill become
your correfpondent.
THE CORRESPONDENTts.
19
To **
WHEN I firſt propofed this friend-
ly correfpondence, you pleaded
inability to maintain it; upon which, I
promiſed never to write or require long
or correct letters. A few artleſs lines,
expreffive of health, of friendſhip, of
any thing but ftudy and affectation, was
all that I requeſted from you, or gave
you to expect from me.
I eſtabliſhed at the fame time a very
unexceptionable conveyance; and pro-
miſed to return your letters: in ſhort,
according to my notion of things, I re-
moved every objection that diffidence,
diſcretion, or delicacy could fuggeft.
Your letter intimates the contrary.
You are now diffatisfied becauſe there
appears
20
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
£
appears a ſimilarity in our ftyle.---Have
I not already told you, that when two
perfons of fimilar-but I hate repeti-
tions-your next letter will decide the
point. If you chufe to difcontinue the
correfpondence, I fhall readily acqui-
efce: but pray do not give yourſelf the
trouble of writing any more excuſes.
11
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
21
To
AY I venture to write at all? for
MAY
now you are indeed ſeriouſly an-
gry, and with reafon. Forgive me this
once, and I will endeavour to merit
your forgiveneſs..
We have had ſeveral new plays this
winter;-but I fuppofe you have read
them all.-Two I know are publiſhed,
Zingis and Cyrus, which laft I faw a few
nights ago, and was extremely well en-
tertained.
You muſt allow me to confine my
criticiſm entirely to the performance,
which I thought remarkably happy.-
Mrs. Yates was amazingly great; the
part is quite in her caft; fhe was charm-
ingly dreffed, preferved the idea of
royalty
{
1
22
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
royalty through every ſcene, and in
every different attitude looked a Man-
dane. Mr. Powell too pleafed me ex-
ceedingly; his perfon was greatly fa-
voured in a fingular and very becoming
drefs; and I thought I diſcovered fe-
veral new beauties in his action. He
drew tears from me without fpeaking a
word, in that ſcene where his mother
urges him to acknowledge himfelf her
fon; and he with infinite emotion de-
clines the explanation. Thefe tears
were all I fhed. I am feldom much
affected by pompous declamation or
high-wrought paffion; and the poet
had well nigh forfeited my pity for
Mandane, by painting her fo favage in
her revenge.
I was pleaſed with two circumſtances,
in the exhibition of this piece, which I
never
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
$3
never remember to have feen before;
one was, the ftage being wholly co-
vered with green cloth, which appeared
quite proper, as the fcene lies without
doors; and prevented the abfurdity of
bringing carpets to fall upon :-the
other was, feeing Mrs. Yates, in a fup-
pofed agony of terror, fall motionleſs
to the ground without affiftance.-The
audience in general applauded this man-
œuve; and ſeemed fenfible how much
better an effect it had then her being
caught by attendants, whoſe unmean-
ing faces would probably have fpoiled
the ſcene.
Enough at this time for the patience
of my noble reader, who will now, I
hope, fign a free pardon for his reform-
ed and penitent correſpondent.
24$
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
YOU
To
OUR pardon is undoubtedly fign-
ed, fealed, and delivered; but I
cannot greatly admire the epithet you
beſtow on me, and muft beg leave to
diſclaim it. It is not your noble reader,
but your friend, your good friend, who
returns thanks for your letter; and was
very well pleaſed with your criticiſm
Come then, let us hear a little more of
the matter. Let us know what you are
affected by in dramatic reprefentation,
if not by declamation or paffion: alfo
what ſpecies of theatrical entertainment-
you prefer to the reft. Here is a large
field, from which I expect a copious
harveft. Adieu!
Yours very fincerely!
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
25
To *
THE field may be large, and the
harveſt great; yet the labourer
may not have ſtrength to reap it. But
this is not an apology; for I enter very
cheerfully upon my taſk.
My theatrical tafte, then, (without
farther preface) has undergone feveral
revolutions. When I was about half
my prefent age, I admired nothing but
pantomime, and the agile tricks of
Harlequin, though, at the fame time,
prompted by childiſh vanity, I affected
to defpife them. Soon after that period,
my tafte really altered. Romeo and
Alexander became my heroes. I was
pleaſed with alternate fighing and ſtorm-
ing; and the moſt extravagant ſcenes
C
of
T
26
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
of the moſt extravagant tragedies ap-
peared to me the nobleft and moſt de-
lightful. Weaned from this folly, I
took a ſtrong fancy to musical pieces, on
account of performing them on my own
inftruments; then afcending, as I
thought, a full ſcale in the climax of
refinement, nothing would pleaſe me
but the Italian opera: this, however,
was a fhort-liv'd paffion; and was fuc-
ceeded by a fondneſs of the hiſtorical
drama, and thoſe plays that are ufually
claffed under the title of genteel comedy;
and thefe, with a few exceptions, con-
tinue my favourite entertainments. Re-
garding the theatres as the mirror of hu-
man life, I prefer fuch pieces as reflect
in my notions the moſt agreeable repre-
fentations of it: from hence arifes my
admiration of Shakespeare. I have no
time
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
27
time to confider how he ftrains proba-
bility in his events, my attention is
wholly engaged by the innumerable
ftrokes of truth and nature in his cha-
racters. How amiable, how interefting
are fome of thefe! I am not going to
write a panegyric on this immortal bard,
but I fhall for ever love and honour his
memory, becauſe he is the only poet
(that I know of) who has delineated to
perfection the character of a female
friend. Now, if to this fome manly cri-
tic fhould wittily object, that Shakef-
peare created many imaginary beings, I
will readily allow that, becauſe it does
not affect this character. We wonder
at the fairies, at the witches, at Ariel,
at Caliban, but do we wonder at Celia ?
No, ſhe is generally paffed over with
inattention, which alone is fufficient to
C 2
prove
28
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
prove that the character is not uncom-
mon, at leaſt not unnatural: but it
often
proves more, it proves a flowneſs
in diſcovering the beauties of this
matchlefs writer.
Pray, pray, now, good lords of the
creation, let us do juftice to my favou-
rite heroine: while David and Jonathan,
Pylades and Oreftes, Damon and Py-
thias, are ſo triumphantly held up on
your fide, let us at leaft erect one ftand-
ard of friendſhip on our own, and in-
fcribe it with the names of Celia and
Rofalind.
Confider then, in the firſt place, the
fituation of theſe two friends.
"Rofalind, the old Duke's daughter
'is' not baniſhed with her father...
for
the
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
29
the new Duke's daughter, her cou-
fin, fo loves her, (being from their
cradles bred together) that fhe would
have followed her exile, or have died
to ſtay behind her.”
Obferve too, that Rofalind carried
the palm of beauty; fhe was "tall and"
fair," her couſin, "low and browner."
"Thou art a fool;" fays the Duke
to Celia, "fhe robs thee of thy name;
and thou wilt ſhew more bright, and
ſeem more vertuous when ſhe is gone."
And now let us recollect the conduct
and fentimentsof this magnanimous girl.
Cel. I pray thee, Roſalind, fweet my coz, be
merry.
Rof. Dear Celia, I fhew more mirth than I
am miſtreſs of; and would you I were yet mer-
rier? Unleſs you can teach me how to forget a
baniſhed
C. 3.
A
30
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
banished father, you must not expect me to re-
member any extraordinary pleaſure.
Cel. Herein I fee thou lov'ft me not with the
full weight that I love thee. If my uncle,
thy banished father, had banished my father, fo
thou hadst been ſtill with me, I could have taught
my love to take thy father for mine.
Rof. Well, I will forget the condition of my
own eftate to rejoice in yours.
Cel. You know my father hath no child but
I, nor none is like to have: and truly, when he
dies, thòu fhalt be his heir; for what he hath
taken away from thy father per force, I will ren-
der thee again in affection; by mine honour, I
will;---and when I break that oath let me turn
monfter therefore, my fweet Rofe, my dear
Rofe, be merry.
こ
​I pafs over her generous interceffion
with the Duke, when his anger breaks
out againſt Roſalind, and ſhall trouble
you only with what immediately follows
the ſentence of her baniſhment.
Cel. O,
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
31
N
Cel. O,my poor Rofalind? where wilt thou go?
I charge thee, be not thou more griev'd than I am.
Rof. I have more cauſe.
Gel. Thou haft not, Couſin ;
Pr'ythee be cheerful; know'ft thou not the Duke
Hath banish'd me, his daughter?
Rof. That he hath not.
Cel. No! hath not? Rofalind lacks then the love
Which teacheth me that thou and I are one.
Shall we be funder'd? fhall we part, ſweet girl 2
No ;-let my father feek another heir.
Therefore, devife with me how we may fly,
Whither to go, and what to bear with us
And do not ſeek to take your change upon you,
To bear your griefs yourſelf and leave me out ;
For by this heaven, now at our forrows pale,
Say what thou canft, I'll go along with thee.
The heroic generofity of this refolu-
tion, and the fortitude, conftancy, and
cheerfulneſs that attended the execution
of it, made a very early impreffion on
my mind, and from the time I remem
-ber-
C 4
32
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
ber any thing, I remember a particular
efteem for the character of Celia. You
will pardon, therefore, my prolixity in
ſpeaking of it, and will allow too, I
fancy, that the play in general abounds
with moral, poetical, dramatic, and fen-
timental beauties,
I have now had the honour to ac-
quaint you at large with my theatrical
opinions; for you gather from what I
have faid concerning this comedy, that
I prefer the flow of converfation to the
pomp of declamation; and am more
intereſted, more affected, and confe- :
quently better pleafed by one Shakefpe-
rian touch of nature and fentiment, than
by all the moſt florid and impaffioned
fpeeches of other tragedians.
I have
THE COR RESPONDENTS.
33
I have laughed at the forrows of Theo-
dofius and the ravings of Roxana :-I·
have wept at the generoſity of oldAdam,
and the tenderneſs of Miranda:
How beautiful her addrefs to Ferdi--
nand!
-Alas now, pray you
Work not fo hard ;-Sit down and reft yourſelf,
-If you'll fit down,
I'll bear your logs the while.-Pray give me that,
I'll carry it to the pile.
I fhall not apologiſe for the length of
this fcribble, neither am I fearful of
your thinking it too long. Your cor-
rective letter opened my eyes and my
heart. I fee that I have nothing to
apprehend. I fee plainly that the hap-
pineſs of your friendſhip awaits me; and
I accept it with the utmoſt gratitude.
My friend, my good friend, I bid you
moft refpectfully Adieu.
C 5
}
34 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
Ic
To
CANNOT expreſs the ſatisfaction
your letter gave me. I have been
reading it ever fince; and rejoice to dif
cover in you that elegant fimplicity of
tafte which is my chief admiration..
Your heart was rather tedious in ex-
panding; but you fay it is open, and
you accept my friendſhip. Cherifh, cul-
tivate that friendſhip, and give me yours
in return. Be affured that I ſhall prize
it highly.-I will compare it to a benig-
nant ftar. My fun of happineſs is fet;
and the fhades of night cannot be very
far diftant; but your friendſhip, like a
ftar glimmering in the twilight, fhall
illumine and chear my penfive walk
through the evening of life.
Adieu
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
35
Adieu. I am coming to town. Do
not write till you hear from me. I hope
we ſhall meet oftener than we did laft
year. You do not live wholly at *** ?
I want to ſee your place there. Per-
haps I may not wait for an invitation
Adieu.
P. S.. Is your ftandard firm? or have
you recollected that you were oppofing
fiction to truth? A word to the wife.-
I shall not preſs the argument. Adieu
€ 6
36
THE CORRESPONDENTS:
To the fame.
OWE you a thouſand apologies
ION
for yeſterday's intrufion. Your far-
priſe diſconcerted me fo much, that I
do not remember what excufes I made.
It was certainly very ridiculous ... but
finding you were at home and alone,
hearing too (as I went up ftairs) the
found of a harpsichord, and your voice
accompanying, I knew you muſt be at
leifure, and entered in that abrupt man-
ner, for which I immediately blamed.
myſelf, and again aſk your pardon.
Accept my thanks too for a more
obliging reception than was due to fo
rude a gueft. I am charmed with your
little villa, its decorations, its furniture,
and
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
37
and its miſtreſs. The thoughts of them
all together ſpoiled my dinner, and
made me repent having declined your
half-invitation. My curiofity is not fas
tisfied; I don't know what garden you
have: did I fee the extent of it from the
dreffing-room window? Interrupted.
Adieu. Pray give me a line per return.
$8
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
•
To *
T was quite unneceffary to take the
IT
trouble of apologiſing for your ſudden
vifit. I dont know but in fome refpects
it was better than otherwife, becauſe I
fhall not in future expect-You under-
ftand and pardon this freedom, afcrib
ing all to the right motive. Pardon too
my not enlarging on the fubject, for
the polite Mrs. ***** (who gives me
the honour of taking the air with her
this morning) is waiting whilft I write
this. Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS. 39
WHERE
To *
HERE are you, my good friend,
and what are you about? I have
been theſe three days in hourly expecta-
tion of a letter. Your laft was only an
apology for one: fo cool, fo conciſe ;
but I "aſcribed it to the right motive,"
and thought you would write again.
Let me beg that you will do ſo imme-
diately. I hope my vifit was not any
way difagreeable or unferviceable to
the cauſe I wiſhed to promote,
40
THE CORRESPONDENTS..
I
To
DELAY not one moment to affure
you, with the utmoſt fincerity, that
the honour of your viſit was in the
higheſt degree welcome and agreeable;
nor was it at all unferviceable to the
cauſe which, I flatter myſelf, you de-
figned it to promote. I only delayed·
writing till I ſhould hear again from
you, hoping you would give me a new
fubject, and ſpare me the neceffity of
re-entreating your pardon for declining
I know not how to exprefs.
myſelf .... for declining the favour of
your particular notice.-You acknow-
ledged on Monday, that my objections.
to a perſonal intercourſe were not ill
founded; but I need not embarraſs my-
felf
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
41
I know you will
felf with arguments. I know
have the goodneſs to acquiefce, and in
filence too. We ball fometimes fee each
other by accident. "C'eft affez." Adieu.
I ſubſcribe myſelf, with pride and plea-
fure,
Your FRIEND.
42
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
¿
I
To
THANK you, I am not of many
words, but I thank you +," and
hope you will approve my laconic ac-
knowledgment. I am happy that
you
have at length fubfcribed yourſelf my
Friend, becauſe I believe your veracity
unquestionable, and have long been co-
veting your friendſhip. Nor will you
be a loſer by the bargain; for this bribe
I will induce me to acquiefce with your
preſent determination, "and in filence
too." Ah, my dear Mrs. * you
know very well who has the worst end
of the argument.
*
I am juft at this inftant in tolerable
good humour with all the world; and
+ Shakespeare.
}
having
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
43
having excluded the cares of it for one
half hour, may poffibly contradict the
affertion I began with, and prove my-
felf" of many words:" but thefe little
contradictions are always forgiven in a
letter. They abound particularly in
love-letters, where an enamoured ſwain
frequently laughs and cries, burns and
freezes, lives and dies, in the fame
breath, while the tender nymph, in her
epiftles, hopes and fears, doubts and
believes, rejects and accepts, with equal
facility and confiftence.
1
嚶
​Let me tell you juft now, before it
eſcapes my memory, that I was mightily
pleaſed this morning by a very trivial
circumftance. It was in turning over a
volume of Sterne's Sentimental Jour-
ney, (you have read it no doubt) where
I was ftruck by the following paffage:
"I was
f
44
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
7
"I was certain fhe was of a
better order of beings-a guarded
frankneſs with which fhe gave me her
hand, fhewed, I thought, her good
education and her good fenfe; and as
I led her on, I felt a pleaſurable duc-
tility about her, which ſpread a calm-
nefs over all my fpirits.-
"I had not yet feen her face-'twas
not material-but when we got to the
door ſhe withdrew her hand from acroſs
her forehead.--It was a face of about
fix-and-twenty (not quite fo much) of a
clear tranſparent brown, ſimply ſet off
without rouge or powder-it was not
critically handfome, but there was that
in it which attached me much more to
it-it was intereſting; I fancied it wore
the characters of a widowed look, &c.
&c.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
45
&c. &c."--but you did not know
Sterne, you did not therefore fit to him
for this picture.
29
"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him,
Horatia." He was indeed "a fellow of
infinite jeft, of moſt excellent fancy.'
Pity that his genius was fo tainted, fo
impure, the more pity, becauſe his
works will be read. He ftrews pearls
in a ditch, and obliges his readers to dive
for them. That fingle ſtory of Le Fevre,
if ſkilfully detached from the life of
Shandy, would do immortal honour to
his memory: but it is too firmly incor-
porated; and, like the embroidery on
Martin's coat, muft adhere to the main
ſtuff, or be torn to rags +:
+ Tale of a Tub.
Adieu.
46
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
?
Adieu. I have other letters to write.
Let me hear from you to-morrow; and
pray give me your opinion of this writer,
with a liſt of thoſe chapters which you
prefer to the reft in his journey.
7
x
1
"THE CORRESPONDENTS,
47
To *
I WRITE this afternoon becauſe you
defired me, though I am in a very
unſuitable diſpoſition, being extremely
peevish, tired, and fatigued, by the per-
fecution of a viſit four hours long from
Mr.
I believe you have heard
of him. I had received your letter, and
was fitting down to anſwer it the very
moment that he came in. I was under
the neceffity of aſking him to dine-but
fuch a dinner! "O gentle Jupiter, with
what tedious homilies did he weary my
fpirits."-For you muſt know this cox-
comb is not one of that briſk lively ſpe
cies, who engrofs all the converfation,
(I can bear them well enough) but a
grave, folemn one, who paufes-and
takes ſnuff—and aſks impertinent quef-
tions
48
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
tions-and divides and ſubdivides the
ridiculous nothingneſs of his difcourfe
-and forgets the beginning of his
ftory, and wonders you cannot remem-
ber it-then pauſes-hefitates-recol-
lects, and begins again, the important
narrative of ſome family-connexion in
the last century—or the true and fur-
priſing hiſtory of his travels through
London and Weſtminſter.
He is but juſt gone, as I hope you
will imagine, by my fretfulneſs not
having fubfided, but indeed I had
cauſe to be angry, for he banished a
train of very agreeable ideas, which
are now irrecoverably loft.
I will therefore trouble you with no
farther addition at prefent, than my
thanks
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
thanks for your remarks on Sterne, and
the complimental allufion, deferring till
my next the catalogue of beauties in
his Sentimental Journey.
D
1
↑
ga THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I
To
HAVE heard of your coxcomb
vifitor, and fee him very plainly in
your deſcription; but you need not have
told me you were angry, for I could
read that in the ſpirit and volubility of
your expreffion. Nothing more voluble
than a lady's anger.Enough of
this, I have fomething elfe to commu-
nicate. You must go to the play to-
morrow. Garrick performs. Mrs.
has places, and will fend to you in the
morning. ** is of the party. I fhall
drop in by accident. Do not refuſe.
You can have no objection; and I hope
have no pre-engagement.
***
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
51
م
I
To the fame.
WAS aſtoniſhed this morning at
hearing that you went away fo early.
I thought at leaſt you would have ſtaid
II.
}
dinner, and wanted to make excuſes for
my deſertion laft night. Shall I fay it
was on your account? a bad compliment
indeed, but I really fancied you ſeemed
under reſtraint. You were fo very filent,'
?
and the reft fo very talkative, that in
ſhort I grew tired; and after pleading
engagement, could not decently return,
Let me hope for a line to-morrow.
Were you well entertained? I thought
Garrick as great as ever. Adieu.
D 2
52 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
To*
YES, my Lord, I was extremely
well entertained: but (pardon me
for returning your compliment)was much
happier after your departure; not merely
on account of reftraint, but had you not
withdrawn, I had loft one of the higheſt
pleaſures a fenfible mind can enjoy,
which is, hearing the praiſes of thoſe
it values. Some company that fat near
us, I dont know who they were, but
the moment you left the box they be-
gan to ſpeak of you and ... No
not one word fhall I repeat. I re-
member your caution, and will ever
"beware of flattery." Sufficient for
me that I heard theſe praiſes: they were
honeft
+
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
53
honeft and judicious, doing infinite
credit to thoſe who beftowed them,.
and giving exquifite pleaſure to your
Friend.
D. 3.
2
54
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
To
* *
I THANK you very fincerely for
the generous intereft you took in
thoſe people's difcourfe, and for the
communication of it: not that either
reflects fo much honour upon me as
upon your own heart; but I regard the
firſt as a proof of friendſhip, and the
latter as a mark of confidence; and
again thank you heartily for both.
፦
}
There was a little error in the begin-
ning of your letter-but excufable,
confidering how late we converfed-
I called at * yeſterday, and heard that
you intend them a viſit on Monday.
They expect you to ſtay all the week.
I ſhall have the pleaſure of feeing you
perhaps more than once, but not fo
often as I could with. Adieu.
25
THE CORRESPONDENTS, 55
>
To
NOT having an opportunity (tho
I wiſhed and fought for it) of
ſpeaking to you alone at Mr. *'s. I
am obliged to this method of acquaint-
ing you with a circumſtance on which
I fhall prefume to claim your friendly
advice.
3
1
#
It was not (as you know) till very
lately that I could properly eſtimate my
own poffeffions of this world's goods.
Small are theſe poffeffions, 'tis true;
yet confiderable enough to occafion dif-
pute, for which, and other reaſons, I
am making my will. It has employed
me fome time, for I cannot pleaſe my-
ſelf in the diſpoſitions. I wiſh to leave
}
}
D 4
more
+
ash
56
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
القسم
more to charitable uſes than fome people
would approve, whilst others would
perhaps be as well pleaſed with a ring
as a legacy now thefe laft ought in
juſtice to have the preference; and
yet (but herein I difcover great weak-
nefs) I am hurt by the idea of leaving
any one diffatisfied with my memory.
I would alfo but I fhall enclofe pa-
pers, in which my reafon for every
thing will appear. Pray read them at
your leifure, and favour me with your
free opinion, which ſhall be decifive.
I fear you will think there is too
much of trifling circumftance. Be pleafed
to make fome allowance for fex, and
then cenfure unſparingly whatever ap-
pears like vanity, fingularity, or affec-
tation.
I do
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
5t
I do not apologize for troubling you
on this particular occafion; becauſe ·
there is not a difinterested perfon on
earth that I can confult, excepting
your.... felf
D5
58
THE CORRESPONDENTS!"
1
To *
J
AT the firft glance of your requeſt,
recollecting your age and appear-
ance, I was ſurpriſed, and ſhould have
thought a marriage-fettlement a more
proper fubject of advice; but you are
perfectly right.
I fhall not keep you long in fufpenfe
for my opinion, having devoted this
whole day to the perufal and confidera-
tion of your papers, and am determined.
to approve myſelf an honeft lawyer. I
am charmed with fome of your difpo-
fitions, and hope it will be.... let me
fee,... juft feventy-five years before
they take effect. Adiéu.
Q:
THE CORRESPONDENTS. . 59'
}
WHAT
To *
AT thanks fufficient, or
what recompence equal, have
I. to render ?”
f
You do not require any-you forbid
all acknowledgements. So be it then..
The draught is executed; it was copied
verbatim, it fatisfied all my doubts,
and will do nie hereafter more credit:
than I deferve.
Pray my
I beg your pardori, -
but pray have you forgot affigning me
a taſk (ſome time ago) in the Sentimental
Journey? I am now going to execute.
it, by telling you. what parts of it'I
chiefly admire―
६.
1.
D 6.
First
60
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
{
Firſt then, the defcription, and cha-
racter, and hiſtory, and in fhort every
fyllable concerning Father Lorenzo.
The Preface. The art of making love.
The paffage at page 85, beginning "I
pity the man." The diftribution of the
eight fous. The character of Le Fleur.
The dead Afs. The Bookfeller's Shop,
and walk to the Rue de Guineygaude.
The Starling. The Captive. Le Pa-
tiffier. The Sword. La Dimanche.
Maria. The Bourbonnois. The Sup-
per, and The Grace,
Theſe are all the chapters I thoroughly.
approve. There are others perhaps
equally agreeable to other taftes; and
fome I fancy that very few can admire.
I have wondered fometimes, as Mr.
Sterne fhone fo much in the pathetic,
that
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
6x
that he never introduced the diftrefs of
a tender mind on a recent lofs by death..
Perhaps he might intend it, and was
prevented by death from increafing that
forrow which fome tender mind might
feel for his lofs. "Alas, poor Yorick !"
What an expreffive epitaph! He fairly
appropriated it to himſelf. "There be
no more fuch Vericks”,
62
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I
To
HAVE not had a leiſure moment
fince I faw you, or I ſhould not fo
long have delayed aſking your pardon
for that unwelcome vifit. Hear the
true ſtate of the cafe, and believe me
when I again proteft it was entirely ac-
cidental, and very far from my inten-
- tion.
I told you where we had been, and
upon what buſineſs. On paffing your
houſe, *** remarked it as a pretty box
which he had never obferved. Return-
ing, he pulled the ftring in order to
take a nearer view; and declared it was
in good tafte.. The miſtreſs of it, faid
I, fmiling, is a particular friend of
mine. That inftant, on the carriage
flopping,
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
63
ftopping, you came to the window.
There's the lady, I fuppofe, faid ***;
a fine woman, an elegant woman; by
Let us alight for a moment. With
out waiting my anfwer, he opened the
door himfelf; I followed him; you
know the reft; but as we did not trouble
you with much of our company, I will
depend on your forgiveneſs.
A
As for ***, he is enraptured with
you. He aſked a thouſand queſtions;
and even talked of making you another
vifit; but I put him off this, and you
need not fear it, for he fails in a few
days. I don't remember whether that
was mentioned in our fhort converſation,
but you obſerved, I dare fay, how fatif-
fed he is with his new dignity. I want
your opinion of him. You will give it
me to-morrow. Adieu.
J
1
64
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
I
To
SHALL not venture to give my
opinion of any perſon at a time when
1am diſpleaſed with them. You will
excuſe me from that taſk. Your friend
is he your friend?—was fo extraordi~
nary civil as to make me another viſit
this morning. Had I been aware of
this honour, I would moft certainly.
have declined it. I am loth to tell you:
how much it difturbed me. More in-
deed than it ought . . . but his ſtrange
introduction, his unpolite behaviour
I had rather he had owned his motive
to be ill-bred curiofity-but "a defire
of rendering me fervice."-He "did:
not know but I might have fome com
་
·∙mands
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
65
mands abroad." Ridiculous !-We
were fitting in aukward filence when
the diligence came with your letter. I
rang to have it brought in; and detained
the fervant by a motion, as if I thought
*** was going. Upon this he aroſe,
and very impertinently offered to look
at the addreffe. I concealed it; and out
of all patience at fomething he then faid,
told him I had the honour to wish him
a good morning. He feemed furpriſed
and diſpleaſed, but recollecting himſelf,
made his compliments, and withdrew.
But how to account for this ftrange
behaviour; and now that I have given
you theſe particulars, it appears in a
ſtill more difagreeable light, and pains
me exceedingly. I fuppofe he thought
-I don't know what he thought-I
believe
66.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
believe you will ſcarcely be able to read
this, it is ſo blotted by the tears which
I cannot reſtrain .. .... the tears of
pride, anger, and vexation.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
67
TH
To
HAT fellow's impertinent vifit did
not give you more pain than your
recital of it gave me. I am extremely
concerned that any inadvertence of
mine ſhould cost you a tear. I hope
he did not prefume. . pardon me,
I mean not to trouble you with inqui-
ries; but of this be affured, that had
your letter arrived a few hours fooner
..... yet 'tis no matter, he has left
England, and may perhaps never re-
turn, Dry your eyes, therefore, and
think no more of an event which, after
all, is not worth a ferious thought.
Some ladies would have been very well
pleaſed with ſuch a viſit, imputing it
to their irreſiſtible attractions.
I will
allow
68
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
allow you to be diſpleaſed; but I will
not allow it a place in your memory.
You muſt not be offended at my
affuming this high priviledge of control-
ing your thoughts. I am authorized
by the knowledge of your difpofition.
Strange indeed, after three years ftudy
and obſervation on the book of your
mind, if I could not tranflate your
ideas, in whatever language they are
expreffed, with tolerable preciffion.
An inſtance in point. Your chapters
of Sterne were all previouſly marked by
my pencil, as what I fancied you would
prefer. To fay truth, I had marked
a few more, and think ftill that you.
would have mentioned them, but for
reafons which I can as eafily guefs..
See
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
69
}
See what knowledge I pretend to!
Expoſe me, if I am but a pretender;
for there are too many of them in all
arts and fciences, not, excepting this
moft difficult one of human nature.
Adieu. When and where fhall I fee
you.
J
70 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
)
INTENDIN
To
NTENDING myſelf the honour of
féeing you very foon, I decline any
particular anſwer to your laft.
y
I must again have recourfe to that
friendſhip of which you have given ſo
many generous proofs; and beſeech
your advice on a fubject of fome im-
portance.
I intended to have decided for my-
felf; but have not ſtrength of mind to
determine which of two alternatives is
right.
From your judgment I will make no
appeal, though it ſhould be contrary
to my wiſhes, nor will I be partial in
the
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
71
the evidence.
Vouchfafe to hear and
decide this cauſe to-morrow, if poſſible.
I fhall wait on you about noon for
that purpoſe, and if you are abroad
or engaged, fhall expect to bear when
it will be more fuitable.
A certain fortunate knight (we are
told in the volumes of romance) had
an infallible guide or director in a
myftical pyramid of adamant, on the
fides of which there appeared every
morning engraven, by an inviſible
agent, the actions he was to perform
that day.
While I confult you thus frequently
and have the benefit of your advice,
your friendſhip is to me that pyramid,
that guide, that ſteady and infallible
director.
72
THE CORRESPONDENTS:
I
Το
HAVE nothing to communicate,
and write only to enforce
my ad-
vice, which I hope you will strictly
follow. I am aftoniſhed, that you
could heſitate a moment, for, notwith-
ſtanding the acknowledged gentleneſs
of your temper, I am certain you prize
your independence.
Were parents or children in the caſe,
it would be different, but in your cir-
cumſtances, good God, what a ridi-
culous propofal!
Let no perfuafions affect you, haften
your tour. That will fhew them you
are and will be your own miſtreſs. I
wiſh
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
73
with you health and a pleafant journey.
Adieu! May your adamantine py-
ramid be an happy omen! May our
friendſhip be as durable as permanent!
F
74
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
1H
To *
HAVE had a very agreeable ex-
curfion, and employ the firft mo-
ments of my return in writing to my
noble friend. What do I owe...
what do I not owe to his counfel! I
found, after affuming a little refolu-
tion, that nothing else was wanting to
fatisfy all parties.
Here then I pitch my tent, and here
I find almoſt every requifite of happi-
nefs. You remember thefe lines:
An elegant fufficiency, content,
Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books,
Eafe, and alternate labour, ufeful life,
Progreffive virtue, and approving heav'n.
I enjoy moſt of theſe: let me prac-
tiſe, let me merit the reft!
I hear
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
75
I hear that you left town on Wedneſ
day: this letter therefore falutes you
at *. That. charming, that envied
retreat, where I fancy you enjoy your-
felf infinitely better than in London.
How many reaſons are there for the
preference! I might perhaps regard
with a partial, a prepoffeffed eye, for
I have never yet feen a place I like half
fo well. I remember walking through
its facred groves with a confcious, an
enthufiaftic pleaſure, that, had I been
a favourite of the mufes, would cer-
tainly have burſt forth into the raptures
of poefy.
I ſhall think myſelf happy (if it adds
to your fatisfaction) in the continuance
of this intercourfe by writing. The
fufpenfion, though fo fhort, has con-
E 2
vinced
76
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
vinced me how much I am intereſted
in the renewal. You may depend too,
upon never being troubled again with
ridiculous apologies and excufes. You
have cured me entirely of that fooliſh
pride, which was hurt by correſpond-
ing with a fine writer. I am fenfible
that it would be difficult for you to
find an equal correfpondent, and I ac-
knowledge, with gratitude, your rea-
dineſs in ſtooping to thoſe who are un-
able to rife to you. In fine, I have
adopted your opinion, that familiar
letters may, with propriety, be incor-
>
rect, or, in Mr. Pope's words, that
"The Letters of Friends are not the
worfe for being fit for none elſe to
read;" and the certainty that none
elfe will ever perufe my letters, has
made me perfectly eaſy in that reſpect.
Enclofed
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
7
Encloſed I have taken the liberty to
fend a few trifling remarks made by
way of journal, during our little tour.
They will inform you how my time
has been ſpent, fince I had laft the
honour of fubfcribing myfelf your most
obedient.
£ 2
7.8
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
they
You
Το
OU muſt indeed regard * with
a partial eye if you prefer it to
other places, when you are juft come
from ſeeing ſeveral finer. I thank you
for your ingenious and entertaining re
marks; and will return them, preſum-
ing, by the different writings, that you
have no copy.
And are you really fo partial to * ?
Shall I put you to the teft? Come,
and pay it a vifit this fummer. Here
are fome alterations on which I ſhould
like your opinion. I expect Mr. and
Mrs. ***
; and ſhall be glad if their
company or any other
fhould draw you hither.
inducement
Confider of
this
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
79
this invitation. Don't you think in
your heart, that mankind would be
happier, if they facrificed more to
friendſhip and leſs to punctilio.
You fuppofe that I enjoy myfeli
better here than in town. I do in many
refpects but fhall I own (it is with-
out repining) I am not fuperlatively
happy any where. Once, indeed....
Ah! happy hours, beyond recovery fled,
What fhare I now that can your lofs repay!
I never arrive at this place without
fome fuch thoughts as the above; and
at times, in my folitary rambles, I
find them..... too deeply impreffed
on my memory. Even at this inftant
but no more.
..You have
an intelligent mind, and a feeling
E 4.
heart:
80
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
}
heart: You will comprehend my mean-
ing, and perhaps add one generous
tear to thoſe which involuntarily drop
from the eyes of your friend.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
$1
To *
}
O the foft commerce! O the tender ties!
Cloſe twiſted with the fibres of the heart,
Which broke, break them, and make it pain to
live!
CANNOT tell you how many tears
If over
I ſhed over the moſt affecting lines
that ever were written. I wept from
fympathy, from too keen a fenfe of
that forrow, which I hoped you had
no longer felt. I thought your griefs
had, by the flow and lenient hand of
Time, been changed into a remem-
brance rather ſweet than painful,
Which footh'd with tend'reft thought your
aching breaſt,
And built delight on woe.
I am concerned to find it otherwiſe,
and am at preſent in fo penſive a mood,
E 5
that
$2
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
that I foreſee this letter will be nothing
but a ftring of melancholy reflections.
My breaft harbours more griefs than
one, and it will be fome relief, if you
fuffer me to confefs, that I ftill mourn
inceffantly a lofs to which the world.
believes me thoroughly reconciled, or
rather that it must have been wholly
abſorbed in one more recent.
·
How:
are they miſtaken.! I had two altars
in my heart. The flame of conjugal
affection never eclipfed that of the
filial; nor was the extinction of it more.
painful. A number of alleviating cir-
cumſtances .. but this is not a
fubject to be dwelt on. I was only
going to obferve, that no calamity can
more forcibly, more laftingly, affect
a perſon of my difpofition, than the
fudden death of a friend by whom we
矗
​knew
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
83
}
knew that we were beloved. I have
not been wholly exempt from other
trials, and may therefore venture. to
form a judgment. The lofs of fortune,
or indeed any diſaſter that affects one's
ſelf alone, leaves many reſources. There
is a moderation to be fhewn which,
enables one calmly to bear the fuffer-
ing, or a noble firmneſs which raiſes
one above compaffion. The natural:
vanity of the human heart will fome--
times confole us in adverfity. Self-
admiration is often a powerful com-
forter, but wholly ineffectual againſt
the ſtroke which lays one who loved.
us in the duſt. We are then awed by
humility. We call to mind the good
qualities of the deceaſed, which.
brighten as they take their flight:"
our own fhrink from the compariſon,
E 6
and
84
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
オ
​and we are ready to enquire why we
fhould be yet favoured with an exiſt-
ence of which they are deprived.
Again, though we put ſelfiſhneſs out
of the queftion, and the delight, never
more to be known, which their friend-
fhip afforded, yet ftill we find cauſes
enough to juftify unceafing regret. In
the words of an admired author, "We
confider, with afflictive anguiſh, the
pain we may unthinkingly have given
them, and now cannot alleviate; and
the loffes we may have caufed, and
now cannot repair. We recollect a
thouſand endearments which before
glided off our minds without impref-
fion, a thouſand favours unrepaid, a
thouſand duties unperformed, and wiſh,
vainly wish for their return, not fo
much
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
85
much that we may receive, as that we
may beſtow happineſs, and recompenfe
that kindneſs which before we never
underſtood."
If we add to this the reflection, that
they were fummoned from a ftate of
being in which they were uſeful, and
in which they would gladly have con-
tinued longer, it increafes our trouble
to its higheſt degree, fince almoſt every
event, and even the moſt pleafing
events, may revive their idea, with all
the bitterness of compaffionate grief.
The various charms of nature which
they no more muſt behold, ſeem to lofe
their luftre; and every enjoyment, be
cauſe they cannot partake it, appears
infipid.
In
THE CORRESPONDENTS:
In ſhort, I believe it very poffible for:
one to become fuch a prey to forrow,
as to think it wrong to ſeek confolation.
This however is not my cafe. I have
juſt been ſeeking confolation. Pardon.
me; for it has been at your expence L-
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS;
87
I
To *
Something too much of this.
SHALL not re-perufe your letter,
and am forry that I gave you occa--
fion to write it. How came you by
ſo much more ſenſibility than is necef-
ſary to your happiness? You are a
young woman, and, in all probability,
may reckon upon many years of life.
It is not for you to talk of "unceafing
regrets," nor to indulge a habit of
melancholy that cannot be fhaken off.
You must look forward. I will ven-
ture to prognofticate that there are
many happy days in ftore for you,
many bright hours in referve. Beware
how you wilfully obfcure them by un-
availing forrow.
If
88
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
66
If your vanity bore any proportion
to your attractions, I fhould reprefent
to you, that a melancholy air adds not
to your charms but rather eclipfes them.
I would fay to you, (with Malvolio)
Thy fmiles become thee; therefore,
in my preſence, fmile always, dear now
my ſweet, I pr'ythee." This is not
pleaſantry, for you really look infi-
nitely handfomer for cheerfulneſs, and
when earneſtly talking, or attentively
liſtening, your face... illuminated
with ſmiles .... but I will not flatter;
too often have I feen this fun-fhine un-
ſeaſonably overcaft by the cloud. of
thoughtfulneſs.
Let me hear from you foon, and in
a more ſprightly ſtrain, Adieu,
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
89.
To *.
OBEY your obliging command of
writing foon, but as it is not juft
now in my power to affume a sprightly
Strain, this will be a very ſhort trefpafs
on your patience,
I mean only to apologize for my
neglect in not having acknowledged
the honour of your invitation to *.
There is no reaſon why I fhould be
inſenſible of that favour, though, alas !
there is, at the fame time, no reason
why I should accept it
Another apology occurs to me this
moment (which I intended making be-
fore your prohibition of them); it is
for
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
t
for the frequent ufe of quotation. I'
am very apt to express myſelf in other
people's words, merely becauſe they
occur more readily, and feem better
than my own. I wiſh to know your
opinion on this head; 'tis not enough
that you occafionally practife quota-
tion: the question is, whether you
allow it in a general, an unlimited de-.
gree to your correfpondent.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
9I
I
To *
*
ALLOW to my fair correfpondent
not only the free uſe of quotation,
(which, in familiar writing requires no
apology) but every advantage, every
indulgence ſhe can devife; and all too
little for the fatisfaction her correfpon-
dence affords.
Your letter which came yeſterday
awakened me from a very pleafing.
meditation on the rife, progrefs, and
preſent ſtate of our friendſhip, in which
I had concluded it was eſtabliſhed on
fo folid a baſis, that neither time or
chance (one accident excepted) could
ever deſtroy it; and thus I argued the
matter:
Friendſhip
92
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
▾
Friendſhip between two perfons of
the fame fex, though extremely eaſy to
be formed, is liable to diffolution by
a thouſand accidents, from which ours
is fecure. Sometimes a difference in
Friend-
tafte, fometimes too great a fimilarity,
fometimes intereſt, and ſometimes love,
will untie the facred knot.
fhip between thoſe of differing ſex, is
harder to form and to preferve. Put
confanguinity out of the queftion, and
where will you find your friends?
Single or married, old or young, if
they are of equal age, their fentiment
is not friendſhip..
it is either too
cold, or too hot. Again, if their age
differs confiderably, their taftes will,
in general, be too oppofite. Will a
young man ſeek for animated pleaſure
in matronly converſation? Can a ma-
tron
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
93
tron be ſuppoſed to relish the wild.
fallies of youth? The very idea of
fuch a connexion is ridiculous; but if
adopted in fome degree, only the fex
of the parties exchanged, I hope it will
not appear fo.
Let us fuppofe that on the ground
of long acquaintance, a ftrict and more
particular friendſhip is formed, be-
tween an old man tolerably free from
the vices of his age, and a young lady
ftill freer from the foibles of hers. We'
ought to fuppofe, and therefore we
will ſuppoſe, that they are both dif
engaged from the conjugal tie, and
their ſentiments ſhould be pretty much
alike upon all fubjects. We will allow
the lady to fancy herself in fome re-
ſpects the inferior, particularly in learn-
ing
1
94
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
ing or knowledge; becaufe that fup-
poſition, adding weight to the expe-
rience of a friend, will produce truſt,
counſel, and reciprocal confidence, all
which are a powerful cement to friend-
fhip and we may fuppofe alfo, that
fhe is enabled to difclofe her thoughts
freely upon all fubjects, without the
leaſt impropriety; he being, from the
very nature of things, abfolutely dif-
intereſted in her regard, and incapable
of any other ſentiment than a lively
generous eſteem, which can never di-
fturb the repoſe of either.
And now, pray what is your opinion
of fuch a connexion? Is it not well
formed for duration? Yea verily, and
the rather for its being of a gentle and
placid kind, forming, as fomebody has
faid,
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
95
faid, "no higher expectations than
human nature can anſwer," and con-
fequently free from the diſquiets and
jealoufies which too often extinguiſh
violent friendships and romantic love.
I had not half done with my fubject,
but am very unexpectedly interrupted,
and as unexpectedly coming fuddenly
to town. I think to ſee Mrs. *** on
Friday afternoon.... Need I ſay
more?
I can have no other op-
portunity of feeing you. Adieu.
96
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I
To the fame.
CANNOT reftore your letter of
this morning, for I put it into the
fire the moment I had read it; being
loath to remember that your pen had
ever given me diſturbance.
Think not that I condemn your mo-
tive for writing. Friendſhip will fome-
times be officious: pardon this ex-
preffion. I ſaw that you were con-
cerned for me laſt night, but as the
occafion (though too well known) did
not eſcape my lips, it is more remark-
able, pardon me again, that you ſhould
trouble yourſelf to fo little purpoſe.
There
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
97
There are fome kinds of forrow that
will not admit of confolation. To
one who has received a wound that he
knows to be incurable, (unleſs the
Jovereign phyfician fhould pour in the
wine and the oil) how troubleſome are
the applications of empirics, and how
impatiently does he liften to their pre-
fcriptions! Pardon me yet again for
this allufion; but indeed, my good
friend, you are not qualified..... You
remember what Conſtance ſays;
“ን
He speaks to me that never had
Experience alone can qualify.... but
I defire not any of my friends to be fo
qualified. No. God is my witneſs,
I do not wish even the party in quef
tion to know by experience.
t
F
How
98
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
}
1
How ſharper than a ferpent's tooth
i
impoffible to proceed
{
As for your allufion to the parable
but I cannot ſay any thing.
about it.
و
You imagine, perhaps, that this
particular inſtance. . . . I cannot write
why, why did you give me the
E
occafion!
?
Two o'clock.
What a wretch am I! how fortunate
that I did not fend away the above till
I had recovered my fenfes! It is but,
this moment I recollect having defired
(as I led you down ftairs) that you
would write; that you would " miniſter
to a mind diſeaſed.”
Pardon
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
199
$
Pardon me now, once for all, my
moſt amiable friend. I will not keep
hack my letter. I know you have
magnanimity enough to excufe and
pity me. Befides, I have an unhappy
additional caufe.
!!! X { 、
With the ſtricteft the moſt jealous
fecrefy have I hitherto preferved this
hoard of forrow; but I am now almoſt
tempted to pour it, without referve,
into your friendly bofom, and feek the
long loft charm of ſympathy. I know
Σ
not what to refolve. I will meet
[
Dispatch in his return, and if he tells
*
me you are alone, I drink tea with
you. But do not lead to the ſubject,
I conjure you. Let the impulle of the
moment determine whether it fhall
ever be diſcloſed.
Adieu.
F 2
100
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
How
To the fame.
TUT MA
unreaſonable is your friend!
He expected to fee you but onee,
he has already feen you twice, and is
now pining with regret becauſe he
cannot have a third interview. But
what is this urgent bufinefs that fends
you galloping away, and in a stage,
coach too, of all vehicles, at the very
inftant when we ought to have met?
I muſt fet off myſelf to-morrow..
}
7709092 27
I wish I could but contrive... and
a bol od 25
why not?
furprised.
... Enough
2
don't be
"I'll meet thee at Philippi.
110 101bnos un
THE CORRESPONDENTS. ION
To *.
I AM returned already, much fooner
indeed than I expected: but what
am I to fay to my bumble friend! You
do not expect an acknowledgment?
I fuppofe there hardly ever was fuch
an inftance of.... I don't know what
and yet believe me, I was more
pained than obliged; but I hope you
fuffered no inconvenience.
A
man,
!
The woman unfolded herſelf at laft.
She keeps a fhop at L. in W. and the
as he told me, has a place in,
the navy-office. I wonder what, *•
..but as Hainlet fays, "There is
no wonder, or effe all is wonder.”
I expect the honour of a line from
you very foon, and fhall be happy to
hear that you are in perfect health,
F 3
1021
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
BE happy; for you have the honour
#.
+
to hear that I am in perfect health.
{
7
Seriouſly, I am tolerably well; I
got here in very good time, and more-
over I have loft the cough, which was
fo judiciouſly pronounced to be a trou-
25 asta boaLG
bleſome companion.
You ſay nothing of your own health,
but I flatter myſelf you are well Your
conſtitution, though delicate, feems.
naturally good. Be careful to cheriſhí:
a bleffing, without which you can ice.
liſh no other.
I f
H
...I have frequently wished, and more
within theſe few days than ever, (ex-
$
cufe
THE CORRESPONDENTS:
103
X-
cufe this abrupt introduction) that you
could conveniently make fome little àl-
teration in your manner of living, and
appear more in the world. You know
my reaſons for this wiſh. Let me önce
again urge them to your confideration.
Recollect alfo, what Mrs. *** faid to
you concerning the "folly, fin, and
danger of being righteous overmuch.'
It was once hinted to me, but not by
ber, nor do I inquire into the truth of
it, that your annual expence in charity
would keep you a carriage.
TOY BOX...
32
Now I think..... but you know
my thoughts already. A little more.
eclat, a little more folly and imperti-
nence, a great deal more freedom and
fatisfaction.
Adieu.
F 4
104
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
}
To
HAVING nothing at prefent worth
communicating to my noble
friend, I fhall only defire he will not
credit an idle report, and then fubmit
to his perufal
A FABLE.
1
Once upon a time a poor widowed
linnet (who unfortunately loft her mate
in the barbarous booting-ſeaſon, and who
was not inclined to feek another) found
great difficulty in keeping the poffeffion
of her own folitary neft. She had more
over the ill-fortune to be entangled un-
197
}
awares in a net, which proved moftly
16
fatal to birds of her fize; for the fmaller
ones often crept through the meſhes,
while thoſe of fuperior ſize and ſtrength
}
could
موسم
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
195
could break the net and efcape. In this
diftreſs ſhe applied to, án eagle, that
dwelt in the foreft adjacent, by whom
fhe was flightly known. This generous
bird readily gave his affiftance towards
extricating her from the net, and after-
wards continued to fhew her great
countenance and favour. Being un-
uſed to the converſation of linnets, he
shought her rather more clever than
the generality of that fpecies, and even
imagined that he might prove an
agreeable acquaintance.
Every one that knows any thing of
natural hiſtory knows that birds, like
the human race, have many different
degrees or claffes of rank and prece-
dence. The eagle, regardleſs of this,
continued to viſit the linnet, and in
in
F 5
392 WW
procefs
106 THE CORRESPONDENTHI
proceſs of time, defirous of more Fre-
quent interviews, became urgent with
her to remove into his neighbourhood,
among the birds of diftinction, alleging
that ſhe was extremely well qualified to
figure in a higher fphere. The linnet
knew better, but at length, with infinite
reluctance, fhe yielded to over-perfua-
fion, and forfaking her peaceful thicket,
was introduced by the eagle to the
beau-monde of the feathered creation.
*
29
The novelty of the fcene engaged a
little attention at firft; but foon, too
foon, the grand miſtake became vifible.
The linnet was not qualified. She could
FOR
101
not fing like the blackbird, the could
I am yo
not diſplay the rich plumage of the
goldfinch, fhe could not converfe with
the deep-learned falcon, nor join in
the mufic of the nightingale.
1
•
A thou
THE - CORRESPONDENTS, -
187
A thouſand beaks were now opened
against her, a thoufand reafons given
for her fudden attempt at politeffe, and
all equally unfavourable. She could
fee the eagle, 'tis true, every day, but
that was no comfort, for every day
brought new proofs that he was no
companion for him. He wished her a
hundred times at that diſtance, in which
alone her merit appeared confpicuous;
but the removal was not without its
difficulties. The birds whofe fociety
the had left were now equally preju→
diced againſt her, and the had neither
fpirit nor intereft to make new friends.
Alas for the poor linnet: difregarded
by one party, difowned by the other,
the expired with mere fhame and vex-
ation; acquitting her benefactor, and
condemning only her own folly!.
F 6
OQ:
fod: A
?
108 THE CORRESPONDENTS
I
To
LAM delighted with your Fable p
there is a fingular, a very Atriking
ingenuity in the conftruction of it; but
like other pieces of ancient writing, (for-
you know birds have not ſpoke for fome
ages) it is liable to divers readings, at
the pleaſure of different critics. I could
propofe two emendations, one refpect-
ing the eagle, as you call it, but which,
according to Le Pere and La Mere,
never claffed fo high, and, infine,
was but a blackbird; and if you con
fult that venerable and decifive critic,
Father Time, you will find him give, a
different catastrophe to the fable; mak-
ing the blackbird to die firft,, and to re-
proach the linnet with not having ac
cepted...
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
100
cepted his propofal, and rendered more
happy that ſhort time which his ad-
vanced age would allow him to expect
in the foreft of life. I fhall not how-
ever attempt to influence your judgment
by thefe remarks. Continue to read
your fable juſt as you pleaſe.
But it will not be amifs to affure you
that I defire not a more frequent enter-
courfe merely through ſelfiſhneſs. I am
vain enough to imagine that I could
occafionally add to your fatisfaction; for
you have often very politely expreffed
pleaſure in my company, and feemed
amufed by the anecdotes which my ac-
quaintance with former times enabled
me to communicate. But I will not
urge this matter farther, nor ever de-
fire you to do any thing irreconcilable,
with your own judgment. Adieu.
110
THE CORRESPONDENTST
!
*
To
OU are infinitely obliging to drop
You
a fubject on which I fhould be at
a loſs to ſay more. It is very certain
that your converfation would at all times
contribute to my improvement and hap-
pinefs; and yet . . . . but what would
I fay
. we have difmiffed the ſubject.
I am not however provided with an-
other; and muft confider a little before
I can determine upon what fpecies of
nothingneſs to trouble you with. H
7
?
انتي
Pray have you read Emily Montague? ··
an important queftion, no doubt; usbut
L
bafk it only with a view to obtain your
opinion of Mrs. Brooke's writings in
general. I cherish a kind of vanity fand
hope
bc A
i
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
III
hope it is not inexcufable) with regard
to the merit of my own fex; and feel
gratified by every fucceſsful effort of
female genius. You will laugh at my
carrying this chimerical pride fo fars
but I actually triumph in the notion that
the ſtate of literature in England was
never more flouriſhing than in the reigns
of Elizabeth and Anne.
pro-
I am not equally partial to the
ductions of modern writers of the other
fex; and have fometimes wondered to
hear you fo liberal in their commenda-
tions. But one reaſon is, I am too apt
to compare them with their immediate
predeceffors, many of whom, beheld at
this favourable diſtance, and advantaged
by your accounts of them, ſeem to me
above all compariſon or imitation.
And
1127:
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
And pray, having mentioned compa-
rifon, let me afk whether we have not
at preſent, comparatively speaking, alwast
as many good authors of the one fex as
of the other. Brooke, Griffith, Mac-
aulay, Carter, Montague, &c. &c. The
characters of the two laft have been long
eſtabliſhed with me, becauſe they have
received the honourable ftamp of your
approbation. Upon the whole, do we
not ſtand ſome chance of sharing your
laurels ?
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
113.
YES,
PVC &
To
ES, I have read Emily Montague,
and with a great deal of pleaſure.
Mrs. Brooke is a moft ingenious woman.
Her works are difgraced by the, com-
mon appellation of novels. They are
amiable and interefting pictures of life
and manners, not abfolutely perfect in
reſemblance, but ſketched by the pen-
cil of benevolence, and tinged with the
delicate colouring of refined fentiment.
Her defcriptions of Canada in this work
would do honour to an hiftorian. She
tranſports our imagination thither. We
fiften enraptured to the falls of Mont-
t
morenci.
Without anfwering your comparative
queftion, I will allow that the ladies
you
114
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
you name, and a few others, feem likely
enough to crop ſome of our laurels. I
do:
with them all proper encouragement;
but your fex is fufficiently formidable
without the aid of letters; and the con-
fequence might be dangerous if you en-
croached too far upon our province.
เ
>
You ſpeak of Mrs. Macaulay. She
is a kind of prodigy. I revere her abi-
lities. I cannot bear to hear her name
Sarcastically mentioned. I would have
her tafte the exalted pleaſure of univer
fal applaufe. I would have ſtatues
erected to her memory, and once in
every age I would wish fuch a woman
to appear, as a proof that genius is not
confined to fex... but ... at the fame
time... you'll pardon me, we want no
more than one Mrs. Macaulay...
I do
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
115
I do not apologize to you, my fair
༤-༩
$
friend, for this expreffion. It detracts
<
nothing from female merit, and you
muſt allow that, generally fpeaking,
each fex appears to moſt advantage in
the fphere particularly affigned it by
Providence.
For contemplation he, and valour form'd,
For foftneſs fhe, and ſweet attractive grace.
I come now to another part of your
letter, and muft tell you, that I am not
yet fo much of an Old Man as to refuſe
praiſe to all modern productions. We
have authors now living whofe works
WillRurvive them, and receive from the
next age the applauſe which they folicit
in vain from the prefent. That favour
able diftance you Ypeak of, and the dark
veil of death caft over natural imper-
fections, are wonderful fofteners of èri-
ticiſm,
116
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
291
ticifm, efpecially towards the produc
tions of real genius, which can never
diminish in value.
1
1.
Shakespeare is the moft ftriking in-
ſtance of this truth. How gradual his
progress from neglect to admiration, to
reverence, almoft to idolatry! But in
truth, (though no writer could deferve
more) he owes moſt of his fane to the
fingular advantage of a practical com²
mentator, and muft certainly be content
to divide bis laurels with Garrick.
noqu
I have written enough at this time,
I would mention fome of our modern
writers whofe works I like beft, and
their feveral merits. I ſhall mention one,
though at the rifk of offending you, by
remarking the capriciouſneſs of your
7
fex.
t
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
LIZ
fex. 'Tis the author of Sermons, to
QULATO 18.
Young Women.
Drau
You are indebted to
ٹر
this gentleman for two volumes of more
elegant inftruction than has appeared
fince the days of Addifon. He has held
up to you a mirrour ingeniouſly con-
ſtructed and exquifitely polifhed, in
which you may behold every feature of
your minds, and improve them to the
ſtandard of perfection. At the firſt
publication of theſe, fermons, recom-
mended by novelty and the faſhion, I
met them in every houfe; I ſaw them
upon every toilette. But where are they
now, and how fell they into diſgrace?
V
34.
/
Alas, they have been publiſhed more
W
than two years; they are become an-
tique; they are loft, neglected, or forgot,
My letter is unreafonably long, but,
i
41
fpeaking of modern merit, I cannot
forbear
tis
.
THE CORRESPONDENTSdon't
etc, do
༩་
$
ટો
23 9
forbear telling you (though you will
hear it fooner perhaps by the news-
paper) that Powell the player is dead.
He will be very much lamented. A
good actor is more generally miffed
than a good writer. I must own that I
feel extremely concerned for his lofs.
We can hardly forbear interefting our-
felves about thoſe whofe talents are pub.
licly exhibited for our entertainment;
while we are too often wholly indifferent
to the more amiable characters of pri-
vate life. Thouſands, like me, will ac-
knowledge that they "could have bet-
ter ſpared a better man;" and they
ought as freely to acknowledge the
felfiſhneſs of their motive. Poor Powell!
He was rather a pleaſing than a great
actor; but he had not reached the fum-
mit. That theatre fuffers greatly. Your
favourite, Mrs. Arne, was an irreparable
lofs
1
t
A
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
27
lofs to it. I fhall never loſe the idea of
v JOY'
that fweet little girl in fome particular
nwyn and va
characters... characters-ſo well adapt-
*
....
ed to her, that I fhould not have pa-
tience to fee any body elfe attempt to
play them.
And you will not have patience with
me if I write fuch long letters; ſo adieu.
༼ན༽།
120 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
OUR reflections on Mr. Powell's
YOUR
death, reminding me very forcibly
i
of the brevity and uncertainty of human
life, brought on that penfive frame of
mind which I am but too apt to in-
dulge, wherein every amuſement and
purſuit of this tranfitory ftate appears
beneath the regard of a rational being.
I fay too apt to indulge, becauſe a con-
ſtant remembrance of theſe things might
unfit us for the common offices of life,
and detach us wholly from fociety.
Who that confiders the unſteadineſs
of the foul and the frailty of the body,
with the relation each bears to the other,
that when the latter is afflicted by pain
or
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
121
or fickneſs, the former is often a prey
to fear and doubt; or that while the
body appears found and healthy, the
foul may make an unprepared exit; who
that deeply confiders theſe things can
avoid melancholy? Who, again, (fays
the moralift) that confiders the li-.
mited ſpace of our exiſtence, in com-
pariſon with eternity, but muft behold
with contempt the buſtle that is made
about paffing this fhort period,, and the
various aims and ambitions that are
crowded into it?" Our whole extent of
being (continues he) is no more in the
eye of him who gave it, than a ſcarce
perceptible moment of duration; and
this reflection alone is fufficient to de-
stroy our attachment to the world, to
render its grandeurs contemptible, and
to make one remain ſtupified in a poiſe
G
of
122
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
of inaction, void of all defigns, of all
defirės, of all friendships.
It is well therefore for mankind that
they do not long retain theſe ideas, that
their paffions flow in and deſtroy their
philofophy.... but whither am I run-
ning, and why do I thus tire you with
trite and unconnected obfervations? I
will put an end to them and to my let-
ter, for I know not how to enter upon
any other fubject: your literary remarks
would in a more cheerful hour have
fuggefted many; but I can at préſent
only return my acknowledgments for
them.
"It occurs to me juft now, that I never
tranſcribed that ſpeech from Zingiswhich
you requeſted when I was commending
}
it;
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
123
it; perhaps you have ſeen it´ere now;
but my time is of little confequence;
and it will help to fill up the paper.
Ovifa contemplating the death of her
Brother.
If e'er the ſpirit of a warior flain
Journey'd in ftorms acroſs the troubled ſky,
Laſt night my brother Zangon paſs'd this place,
And call'd Oviſa home. The voice was deep
As when high Arol, ſhaking all his woods,
Speaks to the paffing thunder. Through my foul
A pleafing horror ran-... Perhaps not long
Ovifa tarries here-... The filent tomb
Is not the houſe of forrow.--Airy form
Of him who is no more! Where doft thou dwell?
Rejoiceft thou on golden fkirted clouds?
Or is thy murmur in the hollow wind?
Where'er thou art, mine ear with awful joy
Shall liſten to thy voice!--Deſcend with night,
If thou muſt ſhun the day. O ftray not far
From the remains of Aunac's failing line!
G 2
I fancy
124
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I fancy you will diſcover a great deal
of poetical merit in this paffage, and al-
dow that it unites the fublime and beau
tiful.
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
125
Το *
WITHOUT waiting your anſwer to my
laft, I write to congratulate you
on your approaching nuptials. Mrs.
who came hither laſt night, informs me
that you are on the point of marriage.
with Mr. ****. I was aftonished; not
at the event, for it is more ſurpriſing
that you ſhould remain three years a
widow; but I rather expected that you
would have acquainted. . . . that is, L
did not immediately confider how chary
the ladies are of their love-fecrets; and
indeed I had no right to expect fo much
confidence, therefore I beg you will not
apologize on that account.
I
Mrs. * fays, you were at firſt averſe
to the propofal; but the perfuafion of
your
G 3.
226
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
your friends, and the amiable character
of your lover, has left no doubt of its
fuccefs; in fine, that Mr.**** had told
t
L
ber, laſt week, that he would never re-
linquish his pretenfions.
1
MR.
Strange indeed, if fuch gallant per-
feverance did not carry its point. I
muſt not venture to write again, left I
fhould excite his jealoufy, and be niif-
taken for a rival. But by his good
leave, I will juft call when I come to
town with my verbal compliments."
ג
CN
all-
I ſuppoſe I ſhall hardly know you
again. Adieu now to grey luftrings"
and plain linen! Welcome face, jewels,
and brocade! Í muft own I am impa
tient to fee this brifk youth, who has
thus opportunely
woh
ORJALOS
Step'd
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
$2.7
Step'd in with his receipt for making ſmiles
And blanching fables into bridal bloom.
¿
I hear he has a good eftate, and is'
"very much of the gentleman." There'
was no doubt of your making a good•
choice. I have only to repeat my con-
gratulations, and wish you all poffible
happiness, being very fincerely
x
Your Friend and humble Servant.
I only wait the receipt of your next
letter to return
put into my hands.
1
. . it is this moment
I have read it attentively; but dif
3 WO3):
cover no confirmation of the news. Let
300 m
me now fee what I have been faying
い
​to you on the fuppofition.--
LI
1
How
G 4
128
THE COÁRESPONDENTS.
}
How petulant! but I will not fup-
prefs it. After all, I am a little hurt
by your want of confidence. Yet
per-
haps it is not true... it ſeems unlikely
you would not have wrote in fo
grave a ftyle... Tell me... but be
ingenuous . Tell me the whole affair
It will not diſturb me... why
fhould it... I make myſelf ridiculous
Pray do not keep me in fufpence.
Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
izg
To*
PON what circumftances Mrs.
UPON
founded her intelligence I cannot
poffibly imagine, nor how fhe came to
know fo much more of this affair than:
myfelf. Had I deliberated a ſingle mo-
ment on Mr. *****s propofal, I ſhould
certainly have mentioned it to your
Lordship; and as it was, intended it,
the firſt time I had the honour of feeing
you.
I don't know what he might fay to
Mrs. * laft week, but this week, at my
houſe when I repeated a pofitive refu-
fal of his fuit, he acquiefced in it like
a man of fenfe and a gentleman, com-
mending my plain-dealing, and pro-
mifing
G 5
130
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
mifing never to renew a folicitation that
he faw was diſagreeable.
$
He fet off yesterday for M---p---r
with his fifter, Lady **, who is ordered
thither for the recovery of her health.
:
>
2
I have never ſeen him above half
dozen times; and am forry even for
theſe interviews, fince they have pro-
duced fuch an unpleafing confequence.
I am hurt beyond meaſure by your let-
ter.... The manner of expreffion..
The fuppofition of my concealing fuch
intelligence or that I could liſten
to offers of marriage. How little are
my fentiments known to one whom F
thought perfectly acquainted with them!
Married! and you to give credit.-Mar-
ried! I fhould indeed
-be
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
137
be dull of heart,
Taſteleſs and grofs as earth, to think with patience,
Without abhorrence, of a fecond Hymen !"
I have never, 'tis true, made any
formal declaration against marriage,but
on this occafion it becomes me to ſay,
that the man lives not upon earth whofe
name I WOULD accept in exchange for
that with which I have the honour to
ſubſcribe myſelf your Lordship's most
obliged and obedient humble Servant,
*
G 6
132
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
To
CUPID and Death, fays the fabuliſt,.
happening to fleep at one time in
the fame retreat, their arrows, being
ſcattered on the floor, became inter-
mingled; and each, by miſtake, took
fome of the other's. Hence the occa-
fional mortality of young perfons, and
the doatage of old ones.
}
I was fearful, t'other day, that the
grim king of terrors, intending to cut-
my frail thread of exiſtence, had only
wounded me with a fhaft of Cupid's!:
fuch uneafy fenfations did the thoughts
of your marriage occafion; but I was
miſtaken, and am glad to diſcover, that
my uneafinefs arofe folely from your
fuppofed want of confidence.
You
THE CORRESPONDENTS.”
#33 T
You now, I think, feem to harbour
my opinion of fecond marriages, but
with lefs reaſon. You might chance to
marry happily, and I beg you, my dear
child, to believe, that ſuch a circum-
ftance would give me infinite pleafure ;
that is, if you confulted me on it, and
let me bufy myſelf about your fettle
ments, &c.
After all, I fear there is a little dif-
fimulation; and why fhould I diffem-
ble?... Adieu for the prefent; I am.
going to walk
and to confider.
9.0
I have been re-peruſing your letter,,
my fair friend, under the fhade of a
fpreading oak, and there came to a
refolution of entrusting you with my.
real fentiments concerning it.
You
134
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
You have voluntarily difclaimed all
thoughts of changing your condition,
and I hope, therefore, that it is no
breach of friendſhip or delicacy to fay,
that I rejoice at it.
A
You muſt not, however, inquire too
ftrictly after my reafons for faying fo;
they are ſcarcely known to myſelf: for
what fo deceitful as the heart?
1
The late Mr. **, (of whom you
muft undoubtedly have heard) upon a
young lady's refufing his addreffès thro
favour of another, (who yet, for pru-
dential reaſons, was not much encou
raged) prefented her with a handfome
portion` to enable her to marry that
other. So at leaſt goes the ftory, and
I am ready enough to believe it, fan-
cying
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
135
cying that I could have acted juſt in
the fame manner. What greater con-
folation to a diſappointed lover, than;
to render happy the object of his love,,
and awaken in her foul a tender and.
lively gratitude. And it might have.
gone farther; for had the lady's no-
tions of honour borne any resemblance ·
to thoſe of Prince Prettyman. in the
Rehearſal, fhe would certainly have
broke with the favoured lover, and
married Mr. **.
If you ſhould aſk me now, why I
have mentioned this anecdote, I ſhould,
be puzzled to anſwer you, for it bears
no reſemblance to the affair in quef
tion. Perhaps it was to obferve, that
the circumſtances being wholly diffe-
rent, I could not have made any merit
to
136 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
to myſelf, nor received any recompenfe
for the advantages I fhould have loft-
by your marriage. Do you afk, what?
are thefe advantages? Your corréfpon-
dence'; this familiar intercourfe, from
which I derive a thouſand innocent.
pleaſures, and that place in your eſteem.
which I would fain flatter myself I pof
ſeſs, and which it is my ambition to
preferve.
You will not mifinterpret what I
have now written. I mean not to
fhackle your affections dr vitiate your
opinions. I defpife the ridiculous doc
trine of Platonic love, and would no
more be a Platonift than a libertine.
All I contend for is the preference in
friendſhip. You will allow there is.
fometimes a difference even in the na-
ture
THE CORRESPONDENTS. -
£37
1
ture of the fentiment.
That which
attaches me to you could not perhaps
be eaſily defined: nor is a definition
neceffary. You may return it exactly
in kind, without bewildering your fancy
or endangering your peace.
Adieu. I pardon the formality of
your fubfcription, having (very pro-
bably) given the example and I
would apologize for the style..." the
manner of expreſſion" in my laft... but
how can I be vain enough to ima
gine that it diſturbed you!
138 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
:
}
To
HAVING company who will prevent
my writing by the Diligence to-
morrow, I take the liberty of return-
ing by Diſpatch my fincere but hafty
thanks for your moſt obliging favour.
I am flattered extremely by your
generous profeffions of regard, and
equally delighted with your approba-
tion of my conduct, or more properly
fpeaking, with your acquitting me
from the change of levity in fentiment
It will ever be my "ambition" to
deferve your good opinion; having long
adopted this maxim of an indifputable
judge, that "The thoughts of wife men
are the true measures of glory."
THE CORRESPONDENTS. 13.9.
I
To
AM to thank you for a piece of
flattery fo very delicate, that I could
not avoid reading it with pride and
等
​pleaſure. Theſe little elegant compti-
ments, "where more is meant than
meets the ear," are, of all others, moft
infinuating. I never expected that fen-
tence to be fo applied.
But do you know that I am coming
to town again? You will know it
foon'; for I fhall make you one of
very
my
firft vifits, and to fave the trouble of
introducing the fubject, will acquaint
you before-hand with my principal
errand. I am under the neceffity of
altering fome difpofitions of my effects,
and
霄
​140
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
and intending to bequeath you a fmall
token of my fincere regard, I would
chufe to do it in the manner moft
agreeable to yourfelf. Nor let your
delicacy be hurt by the idea of this
legacy. Remember you will not re-
ceive it till a time when the difintereft
edneſs of the motive will appear; but
as Heaven only knows how near that
time may be, it behoves me not to
delay my intention. Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
14T
૫.
THE
To the fame.
HE firft wrote, wine is the
ſtrongeſt; the fecond wrote,
the king is ſtrongeſt; the third wrote,
women are ſtrongeſt."
The third was in the right: neither
wine or the King would have been.
Strong enough to have altered my re
folution, but I fubmit to my female
conqueror.
Yet obferve that in this acquiefcence
with your pleaſure, I am (like our ge-
neral parent)
Not convinc'dy
But fondly overcome by female charm.
I yield not to the ſtrength of your rea-
foning, but to the force of your per-
fuafion,
$42 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
{
}
fuafion, and now that I no longer bear
you, am wiſhing to renew my inten-
tion.
Let this, however, reft at prefent";
for there is another thing that muſt be
mentioned. I had not courage enough
for it yeſterday... do not be offended.
To-morrow, about noon, a carriage
·
will ſtop at your door. It is yours.
Your arms are on it. It was built for
you. You cannot refuſe it. The
horſes are the colour you approve.
They were bought on purpoſe. I
cannot endure your going about in
ftage-coaches. Pardon this foible in
your friend, and make him happy by
accepting his preſent,
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
143
I
To *.
HAVE fent for Difpatch to bring
you this, for I cannot wait the Di-
ligence. Recall your orders, I entreat
you. Let it not come. I will not ac-
'cept; I will not fee it. Cruel obliga-
tion. Diftreffing generofity. What
return? ... What acknowledgment ?
How could you imagine I would re-
ceive fuch a preſent? I need it not. I
don't go about in ftage-coaches. I
have a chaiſe to come to town, and
when there, find a chair more conve-
nient.
I fhall be at ***this evening. If
you ſhould chance to look in, let me
read in your eyes the forgiveneſs of this
pofitive
144
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
sfitive refufal, and a benevolent con-
cern for having given ſo much pain to
my fenfibility. If you cannot come,
deign to call on me at
*
either Thurf
day, Friday, or Saturday morning, to
receive my humble apologies and most.
grateful acknowledgments.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
145
I
ᎢᏅ
LEFT you very reluctantly yefter-
day, and had you invited me to
dinner, ſhould have broke my engage-
ment. We had a mighty infipid feaſt.
I went home very early, and ruminated
all the evening upon your verfes. But
my memory is bad. Pofitively you
muft oblige me with another fight of
them. Without ocular demonſtration
I would not have believed that you or
any body could write fuch an exten-
pore.
I have ordered Dispatch to bring
you a coach and horfes. Now don't
be alarmed again. 'Tis not for you,
but your little vifitor. I hope fhe will
H
not
146 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
not mortify me by the refufal of a
you have done that effec-
toy
tually.
I am not in good fpirits to-day,
The air feems grofs to me and heavy.
I have not, for fome years, breathed
freely in London, at least I fancy fo,
and intend to decamp very foon. I
wiſh you could let me know when it
will fuit you to receive a tedious vifit.
I muft drink tea and fup with you.
Be alone; it is uncertain when we ſhall
meet again. Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
145
?
To
IF I am to fix a time for receiving
the honour of your vifit, let it be
Wedneſday next. You will let me
know whether that day is fuitable; but
I fhall certainly be difengaged, and I
think too, you will than have the ad-
vantage of returning by the light of a
full moon.
You had charmed my little gueft by
your condescending notice, and have
now won her heart by your preſent.
"She would give all the world, ay
twenty worlds if the had them, to fee
you again, and thank you for it, and
fit on your knee, and fing you another
fong." 'Tis an amiable little creature
H 2
and
148
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
you
and knowing enough for her age.
"What a fine coach!" faid fhe; "O
Ma'am, if it was but a little bigger,
and the horſes alive!" Why what then?
"Oh then I'd get into it, and fay, Here
Mr. Coachman, carry me to the
place you come from. "I wonder," pur-
fued the archly, "I wonder where he
would carry me to?" I can't tell really,
but to the toyshop perhaps. She looked
grave. Ay, very likely, but I don't
want to go there."
66
Need I apologize for this childiſh
prattle? Will you not rather efteem
it as a pleafing proof that the human
heart is very early fufceptible of grati-
tude.
។
ulu'
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
249
I
To
SWEAR to you my amiable friend,
+
that I have not, thefe twenty years,
enjoyed fo many happy hours fuccef-
fively, as I did laſt night in your com-
pany.
་
The variety of entertainment you
provided, the elegant tranquillity of
the fcene, the harmony of the inviſible
concert, the finiplicity of the repaſt,
the charms of your converfation
✔
I
never faw you ſo ſprightly, ſo animated
Ah my fair friend! provide me
no more fuch banquets... I ſhould
purchaſe them too dear,
:
What an odd compliment it is, to
tell you. I had a moft agreeable ride
home;
H 3.
•
150 THE CORRESPONDENTS..
X
home; I ought rather to fay, I left
you and happineſs together; but it
was no fuch thing; for the ferenity of
the air, the brightness of the moon, and
the ſtrength of ſome very pleafing ideas,
inſpired me with fo much chearfulneſs,
that I perceived not the length of the
way, and was even forry to quit my
reverie.
But how will you excufe yourſelf for
making fuch a rake of me? and how
long do you think it is, fince I loft á
whole night's reft? Are theſe frolics
fuited to my time of life? You will fay
I might have gone to bed this morning.
That's true; but the rifing fun would
have reproached me; and moreover—
but your pardon... befides, one rea-
fon is fufficient.
My
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
My dear Mrs. **, I ſhall efteem it a
very particular favour, if you will im-
mediately fit down, and acquaint me
how you employ yourſelf, and what
were your meditations; from the mo-
ment I left you till breakfaſt time.
Mine are committed to paper, and if
you defire it fhall accompany my next
letter.
I must alfo request copies of your
garden-infcriptions. I know they are
from Shenſtone and Akenfide, but I
want to compare the alterations at my
leifure.
Adieu. Accept a thouſand acknow-
ledgements, and haften your anſwer.
H 4
152 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
7
To *
IF I did not comply with your requeft
immediately, I fhould moft probably
decline it; but am juft now fo pleaſed
and flattered by your obliging compli-
ments, that I cannot difpute your com-
mands.
The moment, then, that your car-
riage was out of fight, I retired to my
chamber, and as foon as all around me
was quiet, I threw up the faſhes for air,
and began to walk very gravely back-
wards and forwards, endeavouring to
recollect every circumftance of the even-
ing, in order to cenfure or acquit my
own behaviour and converfation. But
this was not a very eaſy taſk: for the
Domeſtic
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
153
Domeſtic Deity, as Sterne moſt elegantly
phrafes it, "was either talking or pur-
fuing, or was in a journey, or peradven-
ture he flept, and could not be awoke."
So I fat me down by the window,
and watched the progrefs of the moon,
who now,
Apparent Queen, unveil'd her peerless light
And o'er the earth her filver mantle threw.
Immediately feveral images of the
poets, relative to this beautiful lumi-
nary, crouded into my thoughts; but
I have more charity than to load you
with the quotations.
I then imagined to myſelf, how far
you were got by that time, and fancied
that you (and perhaps numbers befides)
H 5
were
*154
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
were just then contemplating and enjoy-.
ing the mild luftre of Cynthia.
The conſcious moon, in every diſtant
Hath held a lamp to wiſdom.-
age,
Thefe meditations at length brought
ón a fuitable difpofition for Reflection
to affume the cenforial dignity; and it
was affumed. The trial lafted near an
hour, when, after a full hearing, the
defendant was acquitted of capital im-
propriety, but convicted of fome trivial
mifdemeanours, as too great a folicitude
to pleaſe, a little affectation, more va-
nity, and a large ſhare of fimple credu-
lity. She was alſo indicted for having
received too much fatisfaction ; but
pleaded in excuſe, her intention of fu-
ture felf-denial: upon which the court
broke up, without adjudging any other
puniſhment.
Now
<
155
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
محله
Now morn her rofy ſteps i'th' eaſtern clime
Advanc'd
I was not inclined to fleep, and
fcarcely knowing how to employ my-
felf, I went foftly down ftairs, and took
a few turns in the garden. Paffing by
the grotto, I. chanced to eſpy on the
table fome flowers that you had ga-
thered. They looked faded, but I
thought that water and a little atten-
tion might revive them; fo I returned
with them to my chamber, and pre-
fently after, addreffing myſelf to fleep,
had a comfortable repoſe of two hours
before. I arofe to breakfaſt.
Here ends my journal, which I will
fend to you without reading it, left I
ſhould repent of its unneceffary frank-
nefs. Let me add, that the flowers
being quite revived, I have difpofed
H`6
them
156 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
them in a groupe, and am painting
their portraits in water-colours, with
this motto,
1
Live a little longer.
You defire copies of my infcriptions.
I ought to mention, that the tablets are
moveable, and very rarely exhibited
for the generality of my vifitors have
no notion of fuch things, and would
make them a matter of wonderment.
This is the firft.
}
O ye, who bathe in courtly blifs,
Or toil in fortune's giddy fphere,
Do not too rafhly judge amifs
Of one who lives contented here.
Nor yet difdain the narrow bounds
That ſkirt this garden's fimple pride,
Nor yet deride the fcanty mounds
That fence yon waters peaceful tide.
5
The
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
157
The tenant of the ſhade forgive,
For wand'ring at the cloſe of day,
With joy to fee the flow'rets live,
And hear the linnet's temp'rate lay.
And O remember, that from ftrife,
From fraudful hate, and frantic glee,
From every fault of polish'd life,
Theſe ruſtic ſcenes are haply free..
The fecond bears the alterations bet--
ter; as you ſhall judge. Indeed the
grotto was made to the inſcription, and
not that to the grotto.
To me, whom in their lays, the fhepherds call
Felicia, daughter of content and health,
This cave belongs.-The fig-tree and the vine,
Which o'er the rocky entrance downward ſhoot,
Exclude the beams of Phoebus.-Cowflips pale,
Primroſe, and purple lychnis deck the green
Before my threſhold; and my ſhelving walls
The honeyfuckle covers. Here at noon,
Lull'd by the murmur of my rifing fount,
I flumber,
158 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
x
I ſlumber.-Here my cluft'ring fruits I tend,.
Or from the humid flow'rs, at break of day,
Freſh garlands weave, and chafe from all my bounds
Each thing impure or noxious.—Enter in,
Oftranger, undifmay'd, and if a friend
To virtue, not unwelcome ſhalt thou tread:
My quiet manfion; chiefly if thy name
Wife Pallas and th' immortal mufes own.
I finiſh this tedious letter, having
nothing further to add or " defire,"
only that you will pleaſe to believe me,
with the moſt reſpectful attachment,
&c. &c..
THE CORRESPONDENTS. 159
A
To
ND fo you have no curiofity-at
leaſt you do not "defire"--it's
very well; and you certainly are- No
-I will not compliment you at the ex-
pence of your fex.
I will not opprefs you with compli-
ments of any kind; but I thank you for
the little narrative, and am charmed
beyond expreffion, by your amiable
frank nefs.
As for your flower-piece, (what an
intereſting, what an elegant thought!)
remember that I beſpeak it. You ſhall
not refuſe it me; I will keep it for
ever as a pledge of your generous re-
gard.
I am
3
160
THE CORRESPONDENTS:
I am going out of town this very
afternoon, to which I feel a fecret
reluctance that makes it more necef--
fary.
¢
“Il y a quelque fois dans le cours
de la vie de fi doux plaifirs, & de fi
tendres engagemens, que l'on nous
défend qu'il eft naturel de defirer du
moins qu'ils fuffent permis: de fi.
grands charmes ne peuvent être fur-
pafféz que par celui de favoir y renoncer
par vertu."
Adieu, ma belle veuve, vous étes
trop aimable !
1
{
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
161
I
To the fame..
SHALL not fet out till to-morrow,
and have two reafons for writing to
you again..
>
I recollect fome expreffions in my
letter this morning, that I fear will dif
pleaſe you. I ftumbled upon them.
unawares, but they exprefs too much,
and almoſt imply the exiſtence of a
fentiment, wholly unbecoming my age,
and your character. We fomehow con-
tract and retain a habit of what is called
gallantry in ſpeech; but 'tis ridiculous.
-My good friend,. I do not think you
too amiable; I am abfolutely diſinte-
reſted in your regard; nor can I be
painfully or improperly affected by the
united
162 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
united force of beauty, merit, and
kindneſs.
You need not trouble yourſelf to
anſwer this; I fhall write again the
moment I arrive. Only be fo good to
return the incloſed. It's the little pic-
ture you gave me fo long ago. I have
had the drapery altered, and though.
prefume on your approbation, was wil
ling you ſhould ſee it before the artiſt
is paid. Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
163
To the fame.
AM arrived, and am tolerably well;
I A
but have very little elfe to fay to
you. The effential in a letter of friend-
very
fhip may generally be comprized in
few words. I intend foon to give
you a fpecimen (not a pattern) of bre-
vity in writing, at prefent I have not
time.
1
In our laſt converſation but one, you
were obferving, (and perhaps by way of
reproach) that I never wrote to you like
a writer: that if by great chance we
entered upon a fubject of importance,
either moral or literary, I never treated
it in a férious or argumentative manner.
All this is very true; and yet I have
been
164
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
been far from thinking my fair corre-
fpondent
Not with fuch difcourfe
Delight; or not capable hér ear
Of what was high ;-
But I have feveral correfpondences of
the head, and wanted one of the heart.
I find fo much pleasure in this indolent
chit-chat, the fpirit of which would
wholly evaporate in improvement, that
I wiſh to confine. it to the moſt fanfiliar
fubjects, or, more properly ſpeaking,
not to confine it at all; for the leaft
degree of reftraint would produce de~
lay,difguft, difcontinuance.-You have
more than once charged yourfelf with.
imitating my ftyle; but, with fubmif
fion, it is juft the révérfe; for I often
catch myſelf adopting yours; nor did I
ever
+
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
165
•
ever before this intercourfe admire what
may now be called our manner of writ-
ing; becauſe it leaves the meaning too
often wholly dependent on the genius
or ſenſibility of the reader.
And now to convince you of my de-
fire to oblige you in all refpects, I in-
cloſe a manufcript for your more ferious
perufal, your opinion, your ftrict and
unfparing criticiſm. You will pleaſe to
return it by the Diligence on Sunday,
with as many obfervations on it as fhall
occur, and at the fame time, pray fa-
vour me with a complete and exact cata-
logue of your library. This is a mighty
whimfical requeft; but I want much tọ
know your favourite authors. Adieu.
166
THE CORRESPONDENts.
To *.
AM infinitely obliged to you for
IAN
this laſt favour, and return the ma-
nuſcript with my obſervations and the
requeſted catalogue, all which have
taken fo much time, that I can only
juſt tranſcribe a few hafty lines, written
yeſterday, and entreat you to let them
paſs without one fingle word of cenſure
or commendation. They are beneath
criticiſm.
The polish'd labour of his heav'n-taught mind
See the fam'd Atticus to Mira fend,
And bid her freely cenfure or commend
What his creative genius has defign'd!
And though unſkill'd in ſcience' mazy writ,
She all unequal to the taſk be found;
;
And tho' the work be with perfection crown'd
By wiſdom, learning, elegance, and wit.
Yet
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
167
Yet not in vain he makes the gen'rous loan,
And not in vain the pleafing taſk requires,
Which gives her honour, leffens not his own,
And her wrapt breaſt with gratitude infpires:
So potent Phoebus bids the queen of night
Shine in the borrow'd beams of his reflected light.
168
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To *
ELL, then, Iwill not praiſe your
WELL,
little fonnet, though it is really
deferving; but I may thank you for
the obfervations, which are extremely
ingenious and valuable. If the work
fhould ever appear (but that is unlikely)
you would fee how much I regard
them.
But why fhould you entreat me to
let your verſes paſs without notice. In
my opinion they are not below criticiſm,
and I am in a criticifing humour; yet
'tis the leſs neceffary for me to indulge
it with regard to this little piece, be-
caufe your own judgment in theſe mat-
ters is exceedingly good, and I durft
fay
THE CORRESPONDEnts.
169
ſay you know the exact degree of its
merit.
It is one thing to taste the perfec-
tion of an art, and another to excel in
that, art, but you might eaſily unite
thefe attainments; and although I de
not think poetry your forte, nor would
adviſe you to employ much labour in
cultivating the laurels of Parnaffus, yet
now and than an occafional effay will
be an agreeable amuſement not only to
yourſelf, but to as many as you fhall
think proper to oblige with a fight of
your performances.
Adieu. Simply adieu; for I know not
with. I may
what epithet to falute you with. I
fay to you in the very words of Queen
Elizabeth to the bishop's wife, "Mif-
I
trefs
170 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
treſs I will not call you, and Ma Dame
I must not call you." More's the pity!
Adieu. Pray obſerve and admire this
quotation, for it is the beſt I ever made
in my life.
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
171
To the fame.
AVE you a mind to hear a very ri-
diculous inſtance of the mo ft tri-
HAVE
fling vanity?
I was ſo pleaſed with the fudden re-
collection, and the aptness of Queen Eli-
zabeth's faying, that I fent away my
letter this morning without its princi-
pal errand, which was to invite you to
dine with us at * to-morrow fe'nnight.
I am not yet certain whether I fhall be
at the Jubilee; but in either cafe fhall
keep the above appointment, as it will
be convenient in returning, and agree-
able if I do not go, to meet thofe who
have been there, and catch all their va-
rious reports before they circulate far-
I 2
ther.
1
72
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
ther. Come therefore if you can; Mrs.
*** will attend you; fhe talks of a
party; I know you will not have the
heart to refuſe her; and filence fhall
give confent. But why filence?-Why
becauſe I am compofing another letter,
nuft
which you muſt anſwer before we meet;
and which will require a good deal of
time and attention. The ſubject is of
fome confequence. I think to divide
it into three ſeveral parts or ſections,
and would have you do the fame by
your reply, in order to preſerve that
clearness or perfpicuity which ought to
diſtinguiſh performances of this nature
from eſſays of leſs importance. In a
word, I am difpoſed to make a full
proof of your literary abilities. Go
then, ftudy philofophy, and prepare
yourſelf to anſwer the challenge.
The correSPONDENTS,
173
ETES
To the fame.
TES vous bien ?
Je vous aime.
Dieu vous beniffe..
Our
The Anſwer.
Je vous remercie :
Et le bon Dieu vous beniffe encore.
ON
[ 3
174
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
*
OU will rejoice at finding your
ftray ſheep fafely inclofed in the
fold of this letter; nor muft you be
friends. I told you
angry with your friends.
very truly, that I had not ſeen it; and
Mrs. ***, with equal veracity proteſted
that ſhe had not got it; but we played
the fable of the two thieves upon you ;
for the put it (unknown to me) into my
pocket, and did not tell me of it till
we were coming away.
I cannot however perfuade myſelf to
prolong your ureafinefs, and have there-
fore returned it at this unfeaſonable
hour, (and after one reading only) de-
pending upon your honour for a fecond
perufal
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
175
perufal. It must be finiſhed, indeed it
muſt. Mrs. *** declares that you were
no longer about it than whilft ſhe was
dreffing. Indeed my friend, you are
.... but I durft not fay what. I durft
not fay any thing more.
Good night!" a thousand times good
night."
Daughters of Britannia's ifle,
Of ev'ry age and each degree,
Leave your native plains a while,
And hafte to Shakespeare's Jubilee.
O gather ev'ry beauteous flow'r.
And rofes fair with laurels twine,
And rob each fragrant myrtle bow'r,
To deck your poet's hallow'd ſhrine.
I 4
f
And
1
176
THE CORRESPONDENTS.-
And let no gentle voice be mute
In the full chorus of his praife,
And let te fweetly founding lute
Your foft harmonious concert raiſe.
But firſt, arrang'd in decent throng,
Repofe on Avon's verdant fide,
(How oft to hear the poet's fong
Has Avon stopp'd his cryftal tide !)
Repofe, and liften to my lays;
Trembling, I feize the vocal fhell,
And in peculiar. ftrains of praiſe
Your Shakespeare's merits aim to tell.
Let heroes fing his warlike pow'rs,
Let king's his regal talents own,
Let poets, patriots, lovers
Far diff'rent theme
I fing the man, of taſte refin'd,
Whom wife unerring nature made?
The judge, the friend of woman kind.
O maſter
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
177
O maſter of the female heart,,
To whom its ev'ry ſpring was known,
What rapt'rous joy did'ft thou impart
To thoſe who once poffefs'd thine own.
How bleft her lot, how envied now!
Who clafp'd in thee a darling heir,
Or fhar'd thy tender plighted vow,
Or claim thy fond paternal care.
Ye virgins, pluck the freſheſt bays,.
Ye matrons, deck his honour'd bièr,.
Ye mothers, teach your fons his praiſe,,
Ye widows, drop the filent tear.
Now fpread the immortal volumes wide,
And mark
No femalè guilt dèforms the ſcene,
No female plots of terror riſe,,
Save where he fhews the murth❜rous Queen
Stain'd with ambition's manly vice..
I Si
Elen:
178
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
E'en while he acts th' hiftorian's part
He ſmooths unnat❜ral Regan's brow;-
And foftens Cleopatra's art,
And faithlefs Creffid's broken vow.
Nor partial fact
Behold the lovely train appear.
With innocence, Miranda charms ;-
K
With virgin honour, Ifabel;
The filial heart Cordelia warms,
And Portia's praiſe let Wiſdom tell.
Bright ſhines the hymenæal flame
When Imogen's diſtreſs is paſt,
And vindicated Hero's fame,
And Helen's patience crown'd at laft.
Thus diff'rent,ftates are mov'd by turns;
E'en aged hearts for Cath'rine glow;
And when diftracted Conftance mourns,
Maternal bofoms throb with woe.
But
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
179
But where, O Mufe, can ſtrains be found
T' expreſs each virtue, charm, and grace
With which benignant Shakespeare crown'd
The female mind, the female face?
Let me reſtrain my grateful tongue,
And the exhauſtlefs fubject quit;
Let Celia's truth remain unfung,
And Rofalinda's ſprightly wit.
More tragic fcenes I now relate,
And tears of foft compaffion crave ;
O pity Desdemona's fate!
O weep on poor Ophelia's grave!
And check not yet the tender tear,
Nor yet the rifing grief reſtrain;
O'er hapless Juliet's early bier
Still let it flow, nor flow in vain.
When virtuous forrow prompts the figh,
And fwells the gen'rous feeling heart,.
She adds to ev'ry glift'ning eye
A charm beyond the reach of art.
I 6
18ρ
THE CORRESPONDENTS:.
3
Cetera defunt.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
I DID not get
DID not get home till very late laft
night, and was extremely fatigued..
Parties of pleaſure are in my opinion
the moſt unpleaſant things in the
world.. Indeed, nothing can be agree-
able to me that requires the leaſt aç-
tivity, unless it be in fome degree in-
tereſting; and whenever I am bufying
myſelf to no purpoſe, I think on the
labour of the Danaides.
The oftener I look on your flower-
piece the more I am charmed with it..
Mr. * has pronounced it beautiful; and
yet (fo capricious is my tafte) I have
been chufing a place for it this morn-
ing,
182
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
ing where fcarcely any body will fee it
but myſelf..
Have you feen your books? Do you
like them. They were to be fent dur-
ing your abfence. Now you know why
I requeſted a catalogue; that I might
not order any you had. Your library
was too fmall, and if you fcruple to
accept this trivial addition, I ſhall
fcruple to call you my friend, or fub-
fcribe myſelf yours.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
183:
To
YOUR menace, my generous friend,
has its effect. I dare not fcruple:
to accept your prefent; but could I
have divined your reafon for enquiring
after my books, I fhould certainly not
have fent the catalogue. As it is-if
I muft fubmit-if you will not allow
me to return a few of the moſt coftly,
particularly the Natural Hiftory, I
muft endeavour to be eafy-as eafy as
a mind not ungenerous can be under
an oppreffive weight of obligation.
I think, if I know my own heart, it
is in thefe inftances above affectation;
nor is it deftitute of fenfibility..
I need not explain what you very well
underſtand... May I return any of the
books?
184
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
I AM afraid, by the ftyle of yours,
that my laſt letter was too authorita-
tive. I remember being in an ill liu-
mour, but furely it extended not to you,
nor could you mifinterpret the menace.
I know very well that you have lefs.
affectation and more fenfibility than
half your fex; but have you not alfo
rather too much punctilio?.. Return
the books! Return the Natural Hif
tory! which, or all others, I marked
out for your particular amufement,
having heard you in a manner with for
it. You muſt not. return any of the
books, nor muft you be uneafy at ac-
cepting them. You would not, if you
were thoroughly acquainted with the
difpofition
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
185
difpofition of the giver: for I think if
(in your language) "I know my own
heart," it feels for you all the beſt parts
of the fentiments which form the diffe-
rent characters of a father, a brother,
a guardian, and a lover. Are not theſe
affection without authority, eſteem
without jealoufy, watchfulneſs with-
out intereft, and tenderneſs without
defire?
But perhaps you
do not like thefe abftracted notions,
nor will, upon fuch terms, acknow-
ledge yourſelf my daughter, fifter,
ward, or miſtreſs. Continue then,
my friend, and believe that I ſhall ever
be yours.
:
786
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
To
FINDING myſelf in a ſcribbling mood,
I am going to write without wait
ing to hear from you, but ſhall not fend
away my letter till I have that pleaſure.
I cannot juſt now recollect who it was
that one of his friends complimented by
faying that "his entertainments pleaſed
not only at the time he gave them, but
the day after." I should have liked
vaftly to have been a gueft at fome of
thefe entertainments, for I am not for-
tunate enough to find many that pleaſe.
at the time, much lefs in recollection.
I am just returned from a vifit, and
have left a circle of company, all po-
lite and accompliſhed, all in Smirk's
words,
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
187
words, fine in figure, high in tafte,
tout magnifique et galant. I have left
this circle without pleaſure or improve-
ment, and reckon the time loft that I
ſpent in it; yet was in good fpirits all
the while, and as talkative as any pre-
fent.
And now you will expect me to give
a reafon for my diffatisfaction. Believe
me, it is not that I think myſelf wifer
or better than other people, nor am I
juft now unqualified for polite converfa-
tion; my late attendance on Mrs. ***
having enabled me to give my required
opinion on most of the faſhionable to-
pics.
But I mean to obferve, that however
well fuch kind of difcourfe may beguile
the
}
188
THE CORRESPONDENTS
the preſent moment (and it will not de
that unenlivened by remark and res
partee) it leaves no agreeable traces be
hind. It reſembles "
It reſembles "a fwiftly paffing
cloud, on which fome faint beams of
light have imprinted their weak and
tranfient colours;" while the animated
converſations of real friendſhip remain
faftened on the mind, and as the wife
Man faid of words that were fitlyfpoken,
are like "apples of gold in pictures of
filver." In fine, my peculiar difpofi-
tion is fuch as would induce me (with
Mr. Pope) to "value one tender well
meant word, above all that eyer made
me laugh in my life."
Interrupted.-
}
r
Your letter.
What fhall I fay to it? O my benefi-
cent friend, you may guefs, its effect on
3 4
the
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
189
the temper I have fo artlessly confeffed.
Yes, I will accept your prefent, I will
efteem-I will acknowledge
{
but
whither does my fenfibility tranfport
↑
me? Allow me to break off.
F
*
Afhamed of the inequalities in my
own mind, I have often endeavoured
to diſcover the fame failing in others;
and of all perſons upon earth, I am the
moſt apt to compare myfelf with Rouf-
feau. We certainly do refemble each
other. I was very defirous of feeing
him on that account, and regret that
I did not. I can allow for all the
pe-.
culiarities that fo ftrongly mark his
character. Like him I cannot avoid
being fretful, haughty, uneafy, di-
fturbed even by the fhadow of an ob-
Figation; yet place the fame circum-
ftance
190
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
ſtance in a different light, it ſoftens me
into condefcenfion, and overcomes me
with joy. People of this very fufcept-
ible caft have a thouſand pleaſures and
uneafineffes of which others have no
idea; but the latter too generally pre-
dominate, and verify theſe elegant and
often-quoted lines:
Nor peace nor eaſe the heart can know,
Which like the needle true,
Turns at the touch of joy or woe,
But turning, trembles too..
But the principal inconveniences of
ftrong fenfibility are the abfurdities of
conduct it gives rife to, which though
involuntary at the moment, are foon
keenly felt, and ſeverely repented. You
will eafily imagine I ſpeak not of vices
but follies; thofe little ridiculous follies
of fancy beyond the borders of cuftom,
to
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
191
to which we are fometimes impelled,
though fure of making a difgraceful
retreat.
I was thinking of Rouffeau this
morning as I rambled before breakfaſt
through the neighbouring fields. Two
or three little birds were hopping about
in the path, At my approach they fled
to a greater diſtance-as I advanced
they fled farther as I drew ftill nearer
they took fhelter in the hedge. I was
concerned.—Why do ye fly me, gentle
and apprehenfive creatures? I would
not captivate or injure ye-I would
gladly contribute to your felicity. Ob-
ſerve, theſe were only my thoughts, but
mark the fequel. "Rouffeau," faid I,
"would perhaps have spoke to the
birds." Madam! cried my attendant.
I ſmiled
192
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I ſmiled at my own folly, and made
fome infignificant anſwer.
But I need not illuftrate this weak-
nefs. 'Tis fufficient to fay, that I am
very ſeldom fatisfied with myſelf, and
fhould I, at any future time, perufe
what I am now writing, it would moſt
probably appear highly cenfurable and
ridiculous.
Pray don't you think, (for I am un-
willing to be quite fingular) that my
favourite Mr. Shenftone poffeffed a
good deal of this felf-created uneafi-
nefs? I don't recollect ever hearing you
ſay much about him or his writings.
Was he not a good poet? His benevo-
lence was certainly admirable, and illu-
minated all his works. I always perufe
them
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
493
them with pleaſure; with ten times the
pleaſure that more witty performances
would give me. But this, I know, is
becauſe of my own deficiencies, not
having a fpark of wit, nor a grain of
humour in my whole compofition; nor
indeed any qualification to entitle me
(without great allowance of courteſy)
to the honour of being ftyled your cor-
refpondent and friend..
K
194 THE CORRESPONDENTS,
}
To *
I AM going to write a long and par2.
ticular anſwer to every part of your
letter, though at the fame time I have
buſineſs of much greater confequence
that ought to engage my attention.
You are not, however, obliged to me
for this civility.. I have recourfe to it
in my own defence, againſt a ſet of
melancholy ideas, which I hope to dif
fipate by thus converfing with you;
and ſhall then be more fit for what I
could not at preſent undertake.
But, O frail and infufficient Huma-
nity! thou who haft recourſe to ſo many
different expedients to fupport thyſelf
in
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
195
in tolerable ferenity, why aſpireſt thou
not more ardently after celestial expedi-
ents?after the Hope that remains
ſteady and immoveable, the tranquil
lity that fadeth not away!
I think myſelf obliged, in the firſt
place, by your ſetting down to write
before my letter came to hand, becauſe.
it fhews that you thought of me with-
out being reminded.
1
You have by this time recollected
"who it was" that his friends compli-
mented, &c. If I were not in a very
grave humour, I could ſmile at that
expreffion. We are apt now to fancy.
that fuch a man muſt be happy. Ele-
gance united with philofophy convey
K 2
this
1
+
190 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
{
'
this idea through the medium of time;
becauſe we ſee not the clouds of pet-
plexity, error, doubt, fear, and forrow
that might ſecretly over-fhadow his
happineſs.
દ
"The cup of felicity pure and un-
mixed, is by no means a draught for
mortal man," nor can the utmoſt per-
fection of mortality deſerve it. Suffi-
cient for us, if, with patience and re-
fignation, we imbibe the intermingled
ſweets and bitters of our allotted potion,
and find hope remain at the bottom!
We are fo accuſtomed to call things
by wrong names, that I am not fur-
}
To
priſed at your finding dulness in a bril-
liant affemblée, and good company the
worſt company of all, but you fhould
confider
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
197
confider by whom and for what end
theſe circles are formed. It is very
natural for people who are incapable
of amuſing themſelves to affociate with
each other. They feek not happiness
but amusement, and expect no other
fatisfaction than barely employing the
time which hangs heavy on their hands.
But no more on this fubject-'tis the
beaten track of the moralift, and is
worn to the very edge.
I come now to your acknowledg
ment of my letter.-It flatters me—a
gleam of fatisfaction enlightens—but
why-why did you break off ſo ab-
ruptly?Why could you not for once
intruſt a fincere friend with the genuine
effufions of your heart.
How
K 3
198
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
How feldom do we difcover to one
another our real felves! Cuſtom and
education enwrap us in a thouſand dif-
guifes, all more painful to an ingenuous
mind than the European habit to a fa-
vage, or fetters to a flave. Nature
and Sentiment revolt from this tyranny
-occafionally they each endeavour to
get free-their efforts are vigorous and
fudden, agreeing with the impulfe of
the paffions.-But Reſerve, who ſtands
centinel, gives quick alarm, and we
continue the flaves of Cuſtom.
}
I believe I am writing nonfenfe-my
thoughts wander far from the fubject-
but 'tis no matter-I fhall write on.
Senfibility, or the characteristic of a
fenfible mind, is a faſhionable and
almoft
"
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
199
"
{
almoft threadbare topic. Much has
been written, much is every day ſaid
er, m
about it, and numbers affect to poffels
it, who have no other claim than think-
ing it a recommendation.
1
This obfervation does not extend to
you my fenfible friend, who do, in re-
ality poffefs more than a neceffary ſhare.
I only mention it becauſe you are "un-
willing to be quite fingular.", There
are people enough to keep you in coun-
tenance, by running into greater abfur-
dities merely through affectation.
As for Rouffeau, you injure yourſelf
in a compariſon with him. Not that I
accufe him of much affectation, for his
す
​+
feelings are amazingly ftrong; but he
K 4
has
3
200 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
has fuffered what was once but a re-
fpectable weakneſs, to degenerate into
a fixed habit of difcontent, which is
now the fource of perpetual unhappi-
nefs to himſelf and others. Your feel-,
ings are as delicate, but lefs irritable
than his. Rouffeau's peculiarity of
temper unfits him for fociety, and con-
fcious of this, he endeavours to loofen
the bands which hold it together. But
his doctrines make few converts; we
diſcover inſtantly the fpring from which
they arife, and are content to let him
remain le folitaire. . It is fit it fhould
be fo. I cannot help efteeming Rouf-
feau in fpite of all his vagaries, and
perhaps for fome of them, but I would
no more chufe him for an affociate, than
I would uſe conſtantly a fine porcelain
veffel,
+
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
201
,
veffel, if its owner ſtood as conftantly
ご
​by, defiring me not to break it.
I have infenfibly written myfelf into
better fpirits, but muft continue the
medicine a little longer.
Pray why did you not exprefs your
defire of ſeeing Rouffeau before he left
us? It might very eafily have been
gratified. I fhould have been happy
to have brought you together, and am
juft now diverted by the thoughts of
your interview, of which you may take
the following for a defcription. Grave
ly prefenting you to the philofopher,
દ See," I would fay, "Monf. Rouffeau,
behold in this lady
K 5
41
ร
202
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
20:
Caught by theſe founds, he repeats O
facred virtue and glances a look to-
wards you. Your countenance ftrength-
ens his ideas the fingularity of his
character overſpreads it with an atten-
tion equally interefting and flattering-
your eyes, enlivened by curiofity and
foftened by complacency, muft penetrate
the fufceptible foul of John James.
He cries out! he embraces you with
tears of joy! You become his difciple,
and I, perhaps, lofe my correfpondent,
See, by this inference, that I allow
fomething of a fympathy in your tafte,
though not enough to juftify a compa-
gifon.-What-I have now been writing
was
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
203
+
1.
was to amuſe myſelf, but I will tell
you more ſeriouſly that I knew a cha-
racter to which yours bears a much
greater reſemblance: it is that of the
pious and ingenious Mrs. Rowe; not
will you think it bad counſel, if I ad-
viſe you to improve the reſemblance to
perfection. May your life be as ami-
able, and your death as happy!
I have nothing to fay with respect to
your felf-depreciation, being unwilling
to charge you with the foible of begging
applaufe; not that wit and humour are
fuch very eſtimable qualities-but I
will acquit you-and will believe you
are not fenfible of poffeffing either.
You inquire my opinion of Shenstone
and his writings.-Good-very good
K 6
-you
204 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
-you yourſelf have given them a juft
character. I eſteemed-I regretted-
I ſtill regret him-and that for more
reaſons than you can poffibly imagine..
Alas! how many worthy people have
I outlived! I pray God that you may
never be added to their number!
Adieu.
10
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
20.
THE
To *.
HE firft part of your letter, my
ever-honoured, my revered corre-
fpondent, fhall paſs without notice. I
can fympathize, though I do not inquire;
and whatever were the ideas that di-
Aturbed you, I wiſh not to recall them.
Haftening, therefore, to the paragraph
where you beſtow fuch an unmerited
compliment, I acknowledge it moft
gratefully, and am fired with emulation
to copy the illuftrious pattern. How
generous, how worthy of yourſelf are
thoſe wiſhes in my favour! O may they
be anſwered!
I hardly know how to interpret what
you ſay about begging applaufe. I
hope you do acquit me; for indeed I
can
206
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
can acquit myſelf, though I readily ac
knowledge a pleaſure and pride in your
approbation.
Lætus fum laudari à te laudato viro.
Searching for amufement, this morn-
ing, among the treaſures of your bene-
ficence, I found fome verfes in a poem
of Mr. Whitehead's fo extremely appli-
cable to my thoughts, that I could not
forbear tranfcribing them, and fubjoin-
ing another ſtanza, borrowed from two
different authors, to give it the air of a
fonnet.
Yes, I remember, and with pride repeat
The rapid progreſs which our friendſhip knew!
Even at the firft with willing minds we met,
And ere the root was fixt the branches grew.
In vain had Fortune placed her weak barrier,
Clear was thy breaft from pride, and mine from
fervile fear.
*
I faw
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
207
I faw thee generous, and with joy can ſay,
My education roſe above my birth;
* :
Thanks to thoſe parent fhades, on whofe cold clay
Fall faft my tears, and lightly lie 'the earth !
To them I owe whate'er I dare pretend,
Thou faw'ft with partial eyes, and bade me call
thee friend.
And now, while chear'd by thy fuperior praife,
I bleſs the filent path the fates decree,
And from the lift of my inglorious days
Gladly eraſe the moments crown'd by thee-
O let this boaft to future times deſcend,
Thou wert indeed my guide, my councellor, my
friend!
1
The tranfcription of thefe verſes
brought on a poetical appetite, which
I gratified immediately by perufing
fome certain pieces that I hardly durft
venture to ſpeak of, left I fhould incur
an imputation that my foul difdains.
You
208
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
You never ſhall accufe me jufily of flat-
tery; yet I must fay, in the language
of Plato to Fenelon, "When one reads
your compofitions, one thinks that one
hears Apollo's lyre, ftrung by the hands
of the Graces, and tuned by the Mufes,"
or rather by Apollo himfelf
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
209
To *
A
LL praiſe is foreign but of true defert,
Plays round the head, but reaches not the heart.
Ah! why recall the toys of thoughtleſs youth?
When flowery fiction held the place of truth;
When fancy rul'd; when trill'd each trivial ftrain,
But idly ſweet, and elegantly vain.
✪ in that train, if all of wit had flow'd,
All mufic warbled, and all beauty glow'd;
Had livelieft nature, happieft art combin❜d,
That lent each grace, and this each grace
Alas! how little were my proudeſt boaſt !
The ſweeteſt trifler of my tribe at moſt.
refin'd;
To fway the judgment while he charms the ears
To curb mad paffion in its wild career ;
To blend with ſkill, as loftieft themes require,
All reafon's rigour and all fancy's fire;
Be this the poet's praiſe.-With this uncrown'd,
Wit dies a jeſt, and poetry a found..
In
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
In Maſon's Monody on the death of
Pope you may read this poetical anfwer
to your poetical epiftle. Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
·211
YOUR
To
OUR poetical reproof, for I can
hardly call it a letter, has rather
difconcerted me, and made me doubt
whether I may purfue my intention,
which was to tranſcribe any little occa-
fional piece of poetry that ſhould ſeem
applicable to my purpofed fubject. I
ever loved to clothe my own thoughts
in other people's language; but this is
an unneceffary remark; for I am fure
you muſt often fimile at my frequent
quotations, and compare them to San-
cho's proverbs. They are at leaſt as
ready, and perhaps equally well chofen.
The intended fubject of to-day was
a copy of verfes addreffed to my Lord
Cheſterfield,
212
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
Cheſterfield, which I found in the Ma-
gazine, and fuppofe to be lately written.
There is a vein of delicacy runs through
it that ſoftens the hyperbole-in ſhort,
I muſt tranſcribe it, and pray do not
throw it into the fire without reading,
but rather (leaving out the allufion to
Lord C,'s misfortune) confider it as ad-
dreffed to yourſelf by
Your moft obliged and obedient.
To the Earl of CHESTERFIELD.
Reclin'd beneath thy fhade, Blackheath?
From politics and ftrife apart,
His temples crown'd with laurel wreath,
And virtue fmiling at his heart;
Will Chesterfield the muſe allow
To break upon his ſtill retreat?
To view, if health ſtill ſmooths his brow,
And prints his grove with willing feet?
Though
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
213
Though gratitude be rarely found
In courts or ſpacious drawing-room,
Still ſhall ſhe tread poetic ground,
And favours paft fhall ne'er intomb.
"Twas this awoke the preſent theme,
(And bade it reach thy diftant ear)
Where if no ray of genius beam,
Sincerity at leaft is there.
May pale diſeaſe fly far aloof
O'er vernal domes its flag difplay,
And health, beneath thy peaceful roof,
Add luftre to thine evening ray!
If this my fervent wiſh be crown'd,
I'll deck with flow'rs the god-head's fhrine;-
Nor thou, with Wiſdom's chaplet bound,
At any abſent gift repine.
What tho' thou doft not grace a throne
Where fubjects bend the fupple knee,
No other king the mufes own,
་
And ſcience lifts her eye to thee.
Tho' deafness, by a doom fevere,
Steals from thy ear the murm'ring rill,
Or Philomel's delightful air,
Yet deem not this a partial ill.
}
Ah!
214
THE CORRESPONDENTS.~~
Ah! if anew thine ear was ftrung,
Awake to every voice around,
Thy praiſes by the many fung
Would fun thee with the choral found !
13
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
215
I
Το
*
AM not very well this morning. I
was taken with a ſhivering yeſterday,
and had a feverish, bad night, but am
in hopes it will wear off again. Doctor
* at leaſt bids me hope fo, and tells me
there is no doubt of it.
I thank you for your verſes; for tho'
1 had feen them long ago, I was pleaſed
with the re-perufal. I was pleaſed too
with the fairneſs and elegance of the
tranſcript. I admire
your Italiano.
"Tis a fair hand:
And whiter than the paper it wrote on
Is the fair hand that writ.
Theſe verſes reminded me of your
extempore. It is really very unkind to
deny
1
216
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
deny me ſo often another fight of it.
You dont know how foothing theſe
things are at a certain time of life ;
neither is there any fear that poetry, if
tolerable, will ever meet an unwelcome
reception. The humours of mankind
are fo different at different times, that
one muſt not judge them by a ſingle
event: befides, the poetical reproof, as
you call it, was only fent as a quotation
that appofitely anſwered your quota-
tion; nor does it intimate the prohibi-
tion of rhyme, it only reſtrains the praife
of it. I would have all praiſe confined
to meritorious actions. Virtue would
tire before ſhe got to her journey's end
if Vanity did not give her a lift now and
then; but the more trivial accompliſh-
ments ſhould be ſparingly commended.
For
THE CORRESPONDENTS. 20T:
For this reafon, and becauſe I hate
to ſay the ſame things inceffantly, I
often forbear paying the due tribute of
civility to my fair correfpondent. My
letters would be a mere ftring of pane
gyric were I to exprefs the juftice my
heart does to your good qualities, or
even to the common productions of
your ingenious pen..
And really I was guilty of ingratitude
as well as neglect when I forbore ac-
knowledging your very polite applica-
tion of Mr. Whitehead's verfes, in the
management of which, and the con--
nexion of the other lines, there is more
ingenuity, and, merit than in many ori-:
ginal poems. I fhould be ashamed to-
tell you how much I was pleafed with
that
generous compliment. Abundance
Lod
ой
218
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
of the fine things which poor mortals
beſtow upon one another by way of
praiſe, are received with coldness and in-
attention; but what bofom is proof
against the delicate infinuations of kind-
nefs and eſteem? In short, no compli-›
ment can be acceptable to a perfon of
merit, though it fhould raiſe a bluſh on
the cheek, unleſs it produce at the fame
time a glow in the heart.
To amufe myſelf and you, I think I
will tranſcribe a few lines, very much
in the ſtyle of thoſe to Lord Chefter-
field: they were written before you
w soli
were born, and appeared firft in the
મો
Magazines of thoſe days. As you did
not know the author, I may ſay the
thought is not inelegantly turned.
Ecoutez,
To
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
21214
LADY.
ElTOCA LA D Y.
Written on the Banks of a River near
nb her Father's Villa.
While theſe clofe walls her beauties hide,
For whofe dear fake forlorn I rove;
On the clear ftream's oppofing fide
The Mufe fhall wail my haplefs love. ·
My love!—which nothing can outvie,
Which never ſhall a period know;
Ye breezes tell her as ye fly,
Ye waters bear it as ye flow.-
And tho' (by adverſe friends confin'd)
My yielding fair I vainly crave;
O bring her murmurs, gentle wind,
ނ
Her image, ev'ry paffing wave!
Ah no!-Ye winds her fighs conceal,
Nor you, ye waves, reflect her face,
JAS
Left Bolus my paffion feel,
And Neptune fue for her embrace.
Small need ye fhould her accents bear,
Or to my view her form impart,
Whofe voice dwells ever on my ear,
Whofe image ever in my heart.
L 2
Adieu.
296
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
..
A
Adieu for the prefent," I am obliged
to break off, but will add a few lines.
anonsidered not the $ 1,98
i,
រ
Ato
W
You will be forry to hear that I left
off through indiſpoſition. My diforder
is increaſed. It is with difficulty that
I write-but this will be in time three
hours hence, fo I can fend you a later
account.
3
ARLA
€
}
•
I was not able to refume in time for
wud f
the Diligence; fo Diſpatch fhall carry
you this, and fatisfy all your enquiries.
「
CRO'
I really am extremely ill, and fancy
myſelf worfe for not having.
yet
why repine.... Many there are with
equal
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
221
equal propenfities to domeſtic tenderneſs
who are denied the fweets of it. Per-
T
A
haps the exalted ſhare I once partook
..:: but
but away with thefe ufelefs com
plainings.
yet 'tis natural at the
inftant of fuffering to wifh relief.
My preſent wiſh is for the fociety of
a kindred mind. Why fhould I not
fay for your fociety, my amiable friend?
for your foothing converfation. You are
capable of generous fympathy... You
would fuffer my drooping head to re-
pofe on your gentle bofom . . . . You
would fhed the tear of compaffion on
my pale cheek.... and above all, you
would defire, in the words of your ad-
mirable motto, which I have been con-
templating this half hour, I fay, you
would
L 3
272
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
would defire with fincerity that I fhould
« Live a little longer.”
'Adieu. Pardon this weakneſs...1
will conquer it .... Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
223
To *.
HAT can I fay to your letter?
-O my friend! And are you
WHAT
really fo much indifpofed!-I am di-
ftracted with grief and apprehenfion-
perhaps you are worfe by this time---
yet God forbid! Write inftantly, I con-
jure you-on my knees I conjure you
to write inftantly and if you wish for
my company-but alas! what ſervice
can I render?-yet ſay the word-ſhall
I come?—If you defire it I will come
-regardleſs of fame, regardleſs of cen-
fure-happy, too happy, if my care,
my affiduity, my unwearied and affec-
tionate attention, can procure you one
moment's fatisfaction.-What can I say?
- -You
L4
224
THE CORRESPONDENTS. --
-You fhall determine for me.-I can-
not write.-God Almighty reſtore you
to health; or I know not what will be
come of your Friend.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
226
I
Το
To*
RECEIVED yours more than thirty
hours ago, and have waited till now
for an interval of eaſe to anſwer it, bę
ing defirous of expreffing myſelf as
fully as poffible.
Do not be ſurpriſed
if I tell you.
or fhocked
that the doctors
have juft left me... with compliments
{
on what they were pleafed to call the
magnanimity of their patient.
1
T
A does it then require greatnefs of
aak
mind to hear with tranquility a fentence
that one ought hourly to expect-or
rather their prognoftic of that fentence?,
L 5
***
perhaps
226 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
Perhaps fo-but it may be that my
compoſure arifes from a doubt of their
prefaging ſkill: I feel at leaſt a firm-
nefs of hope that ſeems to contradict
their opinion.... Yes... I will tell
you, (though 'tis too ftriking a proof
of human frailty) that I ftill hope to
recover.
Be that as it may, I was determined
to feize the opportunity of writing,
and reftoring your letters. I inclofe
even the laft, for the contents are en-
graven on my heart. Nor let this pre-
caution alarm you-it is no argument
of danger-I may recove I may
write again-again I may thank you
for the pleaures your friendhip has
afforded.-But if not-who fhall dif
pute the decrees of Providence!
IA
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
227
In this cafe, remember that (in the
Bishop of Lacon's words to Madame
de Rouvraie) "I make it my laſt re-
queft, 'that you will not grieve over-
much for the lofs of the fincereft friend
that ever had being; and yet not wor-
thy of a friend like you." Preferve for
my memory an affectionate, a friendly
regard; but if ever you cheriſhed in my
favour the very flighteſt-degree of a more
tender fentiment, transfer it with addi-
tion to fome deſerving perfon, and con-
firm your gift at the altar. It is my
ſerious and deliberate advice that you
will not paſs the prime of your life in
an unconnected ftate. You are formed
to ſhine in the domeftic circle, to re-
ceive and impart the very effence of
conjugal happiness. Commit to fome
L 6
worthy
228 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
worthy man the charge of your felicity.
May he endeavour as fincerely to pro-
mote it as I myſelf would have done
had the envied and too ardently wiſhed-
for office been attainable. However ill-
timed this declaration may be thought,
it is no more than what every
. I
cannot proceed.
proceed... I am extremely ill
Adieu.
A fhort interval feems afforded..
I embrace it to finish this letter and
remove your friendly anxiety—or at
leaſt that uneasy fufpenfe with which I
am vain enough to think your mind is
agitated. At fuch a ſeaſon as this, can
I add ſelfiſhneſs to vanity ?-can I tell
you that I derive comfort from your
bene-
THE CORRESPONDENTS. : 229
benevolent forrow? Yes, I must tell you
that the idea (fuggeſted by your laſt)
of your unfeigned regard, is a cordial
to my very foul !....
Again I muft paufe through inability
... the pen drops from my hand...
I would by no means have you think
of coming hither-nor did I expect you
to make the generous offer. I con-
plained of being debarred your com-
but did not folicit you to grant it:
pany,
Your fame is, and was ever, as dear to
me as your friendſhip; and when I con-
fider the true nature and extreme de-
licate texture of female honour, I re-
gret not the facrifices I have made to
it,
230
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
it, nor even that I let your opinion
prevail againſt the bequest.
Adieu. I cannot perfuade myſelf
that this is the laft time of addreffing
you; but left it fhould... I fend
I fend you
my beſt wiſhes...... God Almighty
protect, fuftain, preferve, and bleſs you
here and for ever!
Adieu, my tender, my fincere friend.
-Deareſt and moſt amiable of women
Adieu.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
231
I
To the fame.
quaint you with it.
LIVE. — I am recovering—and
the fecond effort of my pen is to ac-
with it. The firft was de-
dicated to that POWER which beſtowed
the ability; and the enclofed contains
my fentiments on the occafion. You
muſt however return it uncopied.-No
eye but yours and the ALL-SEEING fhall
ever behold it. Be pleafed alfo to uſe
caution în giving your opinion of this
haſty production. Faults it doubtleſs
may have; but not fuch as will warrant
criticiſm. You now perhaps think I
refemble the archbishop in Gil Blas; and
that my indifpofition having weakened
the mental powers, I am no more ca-
pable
#32
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
pable of judging than of writing-but
ફ્
}
I only intended to obferve that an effu-
fion of gratitude or tranſport ſhould not
be tried by the rules of colder compo-
fitions. On the other hand, you muſt
by no means commend it; for whatever
degree of merit it poffeffes, is in reality
detracted from my character. Every
ardent expreffion conveys a fecret re-
proof; and the general tenor of it is a
reproach to a man who has at times
affected to be weary of the gift which it
celebrates, and ought rather to have
been prepared to refign it with equal
cheerfulneſs.
}
1
Yet who, to dumb forgetfulneſs a prey,
This pleafing anxious being e'er refign'd,
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful clay,
Nor ca lt one longing ling'ring look behind.
}
>
I am
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
233
7
I am now impatient to receive the
congratulations that your gentle and
friendly heart will dictate upon this oc-
cafion. Diſpatch, who travels all night,
will call again for your anſwer. From
him too you may learn more particu-
larly the circumſtances of my amend-
ment. I am ftill very faint and lan-
guid, but while returning health ſmiles
within my view, I can eaſily ſupport fo
trivial an inconvenience.
Adieu. I rejoice to fubfcribe myfelf
yet once again your friend-your fin-
cere and very affectionate friend.
Is not this a very good opportunity
to folicit a copy of the extempore
verfes that I have ſo often requeſted
in
234
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
!
in vain? Surely you will not know
how to refuſe me juſt now. I fhall
expect to fee them encloſed with the
Ode.
A
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
235
17
γου
To
are impatient to receive the
congratulations that my heart will
dictate on this occafion, and moſt pro-
bably expect more from me than you
will receive, for the language of my heart
is not expreffible, nor could any degree
of eloquence convey an idea of its joy.
I blefs and adore the goodneſs of that
Being whoſe favour has reſtored you to
health; and befeech him to keep you
for ever in his holy protection—but why
fhould I attempt to tell you how fin-
cerely I rejoice;-how fervently I wifh
you long life and happineſs? The warm-
eſt profeffions are no more than empty
founds, and might be uſed by the moſt
indifferent perſon.
if
236
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
1
*If wiſhing well had but a body in it
+
That might be felt, then, we the poorer born
Whoſe baſer ſtars do fhut us up in wiſhes,
Might with effects of them follow our friends.
01
t..
But as it is, I will only defire you to
delineate in your fancy thefincereft and
moft ardent efffiuon of tenderneſs and
friendſhip, and believe that it fprings
from my heart.
I return you the Ode with a thouſand
acknowledgements, and uncopied too, but
in the volume of my brain." I dare
not give my opinion-you would accufe
me of flattery-neither could any pa-
negyric-but I will not fay a word
about it.
Encloſed with this inimitable piece,
&
O Heavens, what an unworthy com-
panion!
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
2:37
nion !---You will find the extempore,.
which as length (though reluctantly) I
fubmit to your perufal, becaufe "
knew not how to refuſe.”
*
Upon fecond thoughts, I will not en-
cloſe, but tranſcribe it, in this place, för
I proteſted (if you remember) that it
never thould go out of my hand---but
I will copy it verbatim et literatim..
1
4
When pleafure thrills through ev'ry veins
And trembling nerves confefs its ſway,.-
How hard to pen the meafur'd ftrain!-
· But you command and I obey.
And *** ſhould be my theme---
But he, alas, is now too near,
Ner in his prefence can I frame:
A verſe to pleaſe his critic ear,
My
238
THE CORRESPONDENT
My heart with gratitude oppreft,
Would fain its honeft tribute pay,
L1
But whilft I ſee my honour'd gueſt,
The pow'rs of language fhrink away.
When Phoebus darts his noontide beam,
We ne'er to fing his praiſe afpire,
O'erpower'd by glory's fervid ftream,
We pant; and drop the filent lyre.
But when he finks behind the hill,
な
​And paints with radiance diftant ſkies,
Our freſhen'd fouls exert their ſkill.
And hymns in cheerful chorus rife.
O pardon then my languid mufe,
As thefe unpolish'd lines you view,
And own they merit fome excufe
For being wrote to pleaſure you.
វ
I ſhould tell you, my noble friend,
that I have been much indiſpoſed my-
felf within this week paſt---a kind of
feverish complaint---with lofs of reft
and
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
239
and appetite---but am now greatly
amended, and going for the first time
to take an airing. The chaife is at the
door.---Perhaps I may fetch Mr.** to
dine with me---but I need not apolo-
gize, for my letter is fufficiently long
when the ſubſcription is added---which,
if I knew how to compofe it, fhould be
as reſpectful---as affectionate---as joyful
---but ah !---c'eft impoffible-Adieu,
Adieu.
24.0
THE CORRESPONDENTS,,
To
YOUR gratulation, my amiable
friend, fell not fhort of the de-
mand my fancy had made on it---it ex-
ceeded that demand, and has laid me
under freſh obligations.
I admire your diſclaiming the help-
of eloquence at the inftant that you
practice the moſt refined fpecies of it.
What think you of the break in your
concluding fentence? or even the fim-
ple repetition of the word adieu? 'Tis."
theſe kind of ſtrokes that, through an.
underſtanding ear, produce the moſt
powerful effects. Let me tell you, in
the language of Shakespeare, "You do
fneak.
· પ
THE CORRESPONDENTS. - 241
1
fpeak mafterly" Your expreffions are
fo touching-fo tender-
They give a very echo to the feat
Where love is thron'd.
I peruſe them every hour in the day,
and always with increaſing pleaſure.
O
you
that have a heart of fuch fine frame
To pay this debt of love but to a friend,
How would you love---if Cupid's potent fhaft---
Would to Heaven the trial could be
made !
5 o'clock
I left off abruptly this morning, and
ought to apologize for the levity of my
concluding line; but you will excuſe
-you cannot be difpleafed with a
cheerfulneſs that ſprings from the res
M
J
turn
I
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
turn of health, and which, I hope, you
will foon increaſe by an account of your
own perfect recovery. Shall I add
No, I will not-I will for ever ba-
niſh from my heart the fuggeftions of
a vanity fo intolerable-and I beg you
never to defire an explanation of this
fentence.
Let me inform you, my good friend,
(for you are poffibly ignorant) what is
the chief merit of my letters. Tis
their incoherency. A ftrange recom-
mendation, but one that proclaims
them the effufion of the moment, which
ought to be the characteristic of all fa-
miljar writing.
And pray now, let me inquire (for
I have often intended it) what becomes
ot
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
243
of my letters ... Do you preſerve or
deftroy them? Methinks I have a cu-
rioſity to know what I have been ſaying
to you this year and half, but more
particularly within theſe fix months.
God knows I very ſeldom take the
pains of reading what I write to you,
left any ftriking tautology fhould in-
duce me to correct or tranfcribe.
Apropos to tranfcription-let me thank
you a thouſand times for the extemporè.
The moment I caft my eyes on it, I
ſmiled at diſcovering in two particular
lines (which had eſcaped my memory)
the abfolute reafon of your unwillingness
to part with it. Come now-what
wager?-but this is not generous-----
pardon me-I accept it very gratefully
upon your own terms, and will copy it
myſelf.
M 2
I have
444 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
I have no thoughts of coming to
town at prefent.-My movements, in
general, are very uncertain. It will,
perhaps, be a long time ere we meet,
but when we do, I fhall moft probably
fay with Iachimo, “I'd make a journey
twice as far, &c."-Adieu.know
not how to conclude.-Write, write
foon, I befeech you!
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
245
E
To *.
XCEPTING two or three on parti-
cular fubjects, as the counfel's in-
ftruction, &c. I have no letters of
yours, my Lord, but what are of this
year's date. I deftroyed the reft, but
have preſerved all theſe in a ſeries, be-
ginning with one that I wrote on New-
Year's-Day. I have numbered them
according to the dates, and having
eraſed every fyllable that could gratify
impertinent curiofity, I keep them very
fecurely in my cabinet, and intended
not to review them till after Chriſtmas
-however they fhall at any time obey
your fummons.
But
M 3
246
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
But there are certain reflections fug-
gefted by the contents of your laft fa
vour, that almoft induce me to wifh
I had never engaged fo heartily in this
correfpondence. Freedom, unreſerve,.
were the propofed conditions-and I
bave wrote freely-fo freely-that-
in fhort-I don't much like to recollect
bow freely-Not that I repent of having.
expreffed-any thing that is expreffed
The refinement of delicacy, I know,
is incompatible with familiar writing-
Indeed our fex has very little bufinefs
with familiar writing. It generally cre-
ates embarraffinents of one kind or
other but I thought my fituation and
circumſtance exempted-I don't know
what I would fay-my very ftyle is
perplexed. The meaning of it all is
an.
THE CORRESPONDENTSIT
247
an apprehenfion of having fuffered in
your opinion through a fuppofed, want
of delicacy or proper reſerve. 1004
1
Nevertheleſs I had rather (if you
pleaſe) decline entering into any difqui-
fition of the fubject. It is a cauſe that
will not bear examination; and I beg
that my acquittal of this charge (if I
am acquitted) may pafs in filence, which
Ifhall regard as a fufficient juftification,
and begin immediately upon a new
Score.
+
After the many obligations you have
conferred, I cannot doubt of this being
added to the number, and am, &c.
4
?
M 4
248 THE CORRESPONDENTS.
Το
I WILL fpare you
WILL fpare you "the examination
of this caufe," and would have rea-
dily granted the whole of your request,
had you not talk'd of "beginning a
new, fcore if acquitted in filence.""
Let us have no new fcores, I befeech
you. My age is a very improper one
for beginning new leffons, and a very
fufficient reafon for continuing the
old.
"An apprehenfion of having fuffered
in your opinion through a fuppofed
want of delicacy or proper referve."—
Ah! my good friend, of what texture
is
}
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
249
:
is this newly-affumed veil, that, with-
out diſguifing, attracts a cloſer obfer-
vation. You knew my opinion better;
but you were afraid of fuffering in your
own for certain expreffions-(the truth
muſt come out; I gave you a hint of
it about the extempore) for certain ex-
přeffions of kindness that had dropt un-
awares from your pen.-
"Don't
much like to recollect"-Indeed.-
You are aſhamed then of having ex-
preffed kindness for a benevo'ent old
man who regards you with paternal
affection.
Are you aware of the inference that
but I fpare you-becauſe you have
not fuffered nor ever can "fuffer in' my
opinion through ſuppoſed want of de
13.
M5
licacy,"
*
250 THE CORRESPONDENTS:
licacy," or even "the refinement of
delicacy."
*
In a letter wrote during my illness,
I remember difelofing my fentiments.
with a freedom that I thought became
the occafion. Has this openness cre-
ated a diſtance between us? It ought
not. To the beft of my remembrance,
I told you, with great fimplicity, that:
I preferred you, in all reſpects to all:
women; and had deftiny permitted,
would have gladly evinced that declara-
tion; but is this a reafon. for your
drawing back as it were, and with-
holding the marks of anefteem of which
I am not permitted to avail myfelf?
Why do you force me to be unpolite?
Why do you oblige me to declare that
>
1 ap
1
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
25.3
I am proof against all your attrac
tions; that I never can become your
lover; and that, therefore, your deli-
cacy can never be impeached, or your
referve acquitted ?.
4
i
What can I fay more to fatisfy you
From the first moment of our acquaint-
ance, I marked you down as a ſubject ·
of examination, (my ufual method
when tempted to form a friendſhip) and
you have not yet failed in the trial. E
have ftudied your difpofition; I have
fathomed your capacity; I have tried
your temper ... I have weighed, in the
balance of impartiality, your virtues;
and your foibles. How do the former
preponderate! Let me entreat you not
to throw a feruple into the oppofite:
M. 6
Icate.
sat 1
2522 THE CORRESPONDENTS,'-
ſcale. In a word, I have feen you at
>
all hours, in all dreffes, in all com
panies, and have obferved a uniform,
an invariable delicacy prefide over your
whole conduct.
i
គូ ។
14
Do theſe acknowledgments anfwer
your demand? or will you ſtill diſqua
lify, and fill folicit applaufe? Pardon®
this laft expreffiontis too fevere. I
had forgot the influence that diffident
modeſty has over confcious merit; and
yet I cannot conclude without telling
you, in very plain language, my fixed
determination.
The abfurd and ridiculous cuftoms
of the world we inhabit, makes it ne-
ceffary (in fome degree) for us to live
apart.
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
253
A
apart. Deprived of your converfation,
I-am folaced by your familiar corre-
fpondence. If you over-fhadow this
with unneceſſary reſerve. I will ex-
change it for the other, and become,
in ſpite of oppoſition, your inceffant
vifitor. Chufe, therefore, one of theſe
alternativės, and abide by your choice.
Believe me, I had much rather be
your gueſt than your correfpondent,
and when I recollect my laft viſit to
***, I can never forbear wishing to
repeat it.
+
That vifit-You know not, my
dear Mrs. **, how many circumftances,
how many agreeable reflections
The moonlight in the garden-Do you
remember it?'Twas in croffing the
little
254
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
little lawn near the houſe, that we ſtopt.
fhort to admire the beauty of the fcene,
and liften, more attentively to the
concealed muſic that vibrated along the
hedges. Your hand was within my
arni.... It had felt the preffure of
my lips
...You withdrew it
Have you forgot that moment?
never ſhall forget it. Apprehenfive de-
Hcacy forbad thoſe natural, innocent,,
lent expreffions of fatisfaction; whilft
VIRTUE, in your accents, directed our
eyes and our thoughts to the starry
heavens, and almoſt enabled them to
penetrate the azure canopy.. What an
apostrophe What fublimity! What
tenderness! O had the excellent creat
ture to whoni.....but no more, left.
I injure the fubject. This was indeed
{
one
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
255
one of thofe precious and unfrequent
moments, when, by a happy concur
rence of circumftances, Humanity
feems raiſed above itfelf, and feels fen-
fations of which the vulgar, the igno
rant, or the licentious mind cannot
form an idea.!
I have been reading what I have
written, and am pleafed with my un-
premeditated digreffion. I hope it will:
not diſpleaſe my fair reader... Comey
come, my dear friend, før fo I will call.
you, think better of this matter. Dif
card. affectation. Return my finceres.
my diſintereſted affection with equal fin
cerity and franknefs. The journey of
life is, with me, drawing faft to a cons
clufion
2
256
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
clufion. Short indeed is the remaining
paffage; but rugged to the feet of a
weary traveller, and barren to his de-
caying fight. Continue, then to be-
guile the irkſomeneſs of the way, footh
him with the fong of fympathy, and
ftrew the flowers of friendſhip in hist
path.
on I
Wedneſday.
3
This will be a moft unreaſonable
letter for a fresh fubject has offered,
and one that I have intended at leaſt
twenty times to mention, and it has
always eſcaped me: Junius, and his
writings. Pray what is your opinion
of them, particularly the laſt letter PI
am fure his repreſentations muſt intereſt
you a little; but you ſhould diſtinguiſh
the
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
257
the matter from the manner, and hear
both fides of the queſtion, before you
decide on the merits of this popular
writer.
Take no
I think now that this is a very oppor-
tune change of our fubject. Let us
then, if you pleaſe, drop entirely all
diſcourſe of ourſelves, our fituation,
our fentiments, and commence poli-
ticians without lofs of time.
notice of the first part of this letter, but
acquaint me, as foon as poffible, with
all your political notions, and, in
Quidnunc's language, "What you
take to be the balance of power.”
But firſt you muſt let me know-
though that is needlefs too; for I'll be
ร
fworns
258
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
fworn you are a Patriot, a true daughter
of Britain; “ always for liberty.”
No love but that of Carthage fires my bofom.
for thee, O what for thee,
My finking country, would I not endure !
Ay, ay, fhe did endure. She deſerted.
the fortunes of a decrepid old huſband
who was indifferent to her, and threw
Kerfelf. not from the top of a pre-
cipice nor into a caldron of boil-
ing off
۱۰
but
O unparalleled
facrifice! the threw herfelf
219731
into the arms of a handfome young
man whom the loved! Poor Sopho-
nifba! Do you not fympathize in her
;
Lufferings
1
}
L
Raillery apart, I beg you will give
the your free opinion of this celebrated
A
writer
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
2:59
writer and his compofitions. I ſhalt
not influence your judgment by any
previous remarks, nor add another line
after bidding you very heartily
Farewell.
毚
​Thurſday morning.
An unexpected delay obliges me to
break my word;
word; but Difpatch fhall.
30 2
bring you this, and inform you what a
droll accident has bafallen the Diligence.
I enclofe your two laft letters to be
numbered and claffed with the reft, and
then be pleaſed to make them all up in a
pacquet for him to bring me hither.
I want to review, at my leifure, this
little, ſeries of billet-doux, nor will you,
I hope...... but hold—I had like to
have infringed our newly eſtabliſhed.
law
3
260
THE CORRESPONDENTS,'
law, which is, to fay nothing of our-
felves at preſent, but as much as we
pleaſe on any other topic.
I have already given you a topic from
which I expect great entertainment.
Spread your intellectual pinions, and
foar at once into the region of politics,
finging 10 Junius.
THE CORRESPONDENTS, 261
I
"To
WANTED Diſpatch to come for the
pacquet in his return from town, as
it could make but a few miles differ-
ence, but he pleads your commands
to the contrary; fo I fhall only detain
him while "I write thefe few lines,"
and adjust the other letters.
1
The extorted commendations and cor-
rective raillery of this laft favour makes
me extremely willing to obferve your
newly eſtabliſhed law," and "drop
all diſcourſe of ourſelves;" though at
the fame time I muft affure you, upon
my word and honour, that my meaning
was not rightly interpreted; nor did I
think
162
THE CORRESPONDENTE,
think that the "beginning a new fcore"
would be underſtood as a deviation from
our uſual plan of writing; but let all that
paſs. I have now another taſk allotted
me, and ſhall engage in it very cheer-
fully, if you will but hold out the pro-
per lights, and condefcend to be my
political preceptor. I fancy I have not
feen the laſt letter of Junius. Pray
mention in your next who it is addreffed
to. I fhall for feveral reaſons be rather
impatient till I have the honour of
hearing from you. I am forry for the
poor Diligence, though the accident was
truly ludicrous; and fhall be glad to
refume the more eligible conveyance.
የ
There was no forbearing to laugh at
your ridicule of poor Sophoniſba's fe-
cond
THE CORRESPONDENTS,
263
cond marriage; but you take no notice
of the poifon that was her nuptial pre-
fent, nor of her courage in drinking it.
I don't mean (like the young ftudent in
Emilius)on account of its naufeous taſte,
but at all events, and moftly according
to your repreſentation of the affair, it
required fome magnanimity.
You know very well that I am jea-
lous of my fex's honour; and there are
feveral other paffages in your letter,
which, notwithſtanding the prohibition
---but 'tis no matter.---Be affured only,
that I abhor affectation as much as in-
delicacy, and am forry for having fhewn
any appearance of it. Your reproofs
are indeed fevere, but I will profit by
them, and intreat you, my honoured
friend,
264 THE CORRESPondents.
friend, never to fpare my foibles. You
fhall not find me incorrigible. I do ac-
knowledge that I was to blame (though
not perhaps in the identical inftance or
degree that you apprehend) and now
having, as you very justly obſerve, no
reaſon for diſguifing my fentiments, I
avow them, and proclaim myſelf
Your obliged
and moſt affectionate Friend.
>
FINIS.
་་
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