LETTER CLXXXIV.

Το Mrs. THRA L E.

DEAR MADAM,

A

October 10, 1777

ND fo, fuppofing that I might come to town and neglect to give you notice, or thinking fome other strange thought, but certainly thinking wrong, you fall to writing about me to Tom Davies, as if he could tell you any thing that I would not have you know. As foon as I came hither, I let you know of my arrival; and the confequence is, that I am fummoned to Brighthelmstone through ftorms, and cold, and dirt, and all the hardships of wintry journies. You know my natural dread of all thofe evils; yet to fhew my master an example of compliance, and to let you know how much I long to fee you, and to boast how little I give way to disease, my purpose is to be with you on Friday.

I am forry for poor Nezzy, and hope the will in time be better; I hope the fame for myfelf. The rejuvenefcency of Mr. Scrafe gives us both reafon to hope, and therefore

both

both of us rejoice in his recovery. I wish him well befides, as a friend to my mafter.

I am juft come home from not seeing my Lord Mayor's fhew, but I might have seen at leaft part of it. But I faw Mifs Wesley and her brothers; she fends her compliments. Mrs. Williams is come home, I think a very little better.

Every body was an enemy to that wig.We will burn it, and get drunk; for what is joy without drink. Wagers are laid in the city about our fuccefs, which is yet, as the French call it, problematical. Well, but serioufly I think I fhall be glad to see you in your own hair; but do not take too much time in combing, and twifting, and papering, and unpapering, and curling, and frizzing, and powdering, and getting out the powder, with all the other operations required in the cultivation of a head of hair; yet let it be combed at least once in three months, on the quarterday I could with it might be combed once at least in fix weeks; if I were to indulge my wishes, but what are wifhes without hopes, I should fancy the operation performed-one knows not when one has enough—perhaps every morning,

I am, deareft Lady,

Your, &c.

LETTER CLXXXV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

October 13, 1777.

Such

ET I do love to hear from you. YET pretty kind letters as you fend. But it gives me great delight to find that my mafter miffes me. I begin to wish myself with you more than I should do, if I were wanted lefs. It is a good thing to stay away till one's company is desired, but not so good to stay after it is defired.

You know I have fome work to do. I did not fet to it very foon; and if I should go up to London with nothing done, what would be faid, but that I was- who can tell what? I therefore stay till I can bring up fomething to ftop their mouths, and then

Though I am ftill at Afhbourne, I receive your dear letters that come to Lichfield, and you continue that direction, for I think to get thither as soon as I can.

One

One of the does died yesterday, and I am afraid her fawn will be ftarved; I wish Mifs Thrale had it to nurfe; but the Doctor is now all for cattle, and minds very little either does or hens.

How did you and your aunt part? Did you turn her out of doors to begin your journey? or did she leave you by her usual shortnefs of vifits? I love to know how you go on.

I cannot but think on your kindness and my mafter's. Life has, upon the whole, fallen short, very fhort, of my early expectation; but the acquifition of fuch a friendship, at an age when new friendships are seldom acquired, is something better than the general course of things gives man a right to expect. I think on it with great delight, I am not very apt to be delighted,

I am, &c.

LETTER CLXXXVI.

Το Mrs. THRALE.

DEAREST LADY,

Afhbourne, O&. 16, 1777.

14

AM juft going out, and can write but little. How you fhould be long without a letter I know not, for I feldom mifs a poft. I purpofe now to come to London as soon as I can, for I have a deal to look after, but hope I fhall get through the whole business.

I wish you had told me your adventure, or told me nothing. Be civil to Lord * * he feems to be a good kind of man. Mifs may change her mind; and will change it, when the finds herself get more credit by dancing than by whift; and though she should continue to like, as fhe likes now, the harm is

none.

Do not yet begin, dear Madam, to think about the laft. You may well dance these dozen years, if you keep your looks as you