Queeney criticised my gait, paffed into my toe, but I have hunted it, and starved

and

it makes no figure. It has drawn some attention, for Lord and Lady Lucan sent to enquire after me. This is all the news that I have to tell you. Yesterday I dined with Mr. Strahan, and Bofwell was there. We fhall be both to-morrow at Mr. Ramfay's. Now fure I have told you quite all, unless you yet want to be told that

I am, &c.

LETTER CCXIV.

To Mrs. THRA L E.

DEAR MADAM,

Oct. 16, 1779.

HE advice given you by Dr. Pepys agrees

THE

very exactly with my notions. I would not bleed but in exigencies. Riding and cheerfulness will, I hope, do all the business. All alive and merry, must be my master's

motto.

How did you light on your fpecifick for the tooth-ach? You have now been troubled

with it less. I am glad you are at last relieved.

You fay nothing of the younglings; I hope they are not spoiled with the pleasures of Brighthelmfton, a dangerous place, we were told, for children. You will do well to keep

them out of harm's way.

I

From the younglings let me pafs to a veteran; you tell me nothing of Mr. S— ; hope he is well, and cheerful and communicative. Does Mr. Thrale go and talk with him, and do you run in and out? You may both be the better for his converfation.

I am forry for poor Thomas, who was a decent and civil man. It is hard that he fhould be overwhelmed by a new-comer. But thou by fome other halt be laid as low. A finer fhop may

Bowen's day may come.

be erected, kept by yet a fairer man, and crowded by greater numbers of fine gentlemen and fine ladies.

My foot gives me very little trouble; but it is not yet well. I have dined, fince you faw me, not fo often as once in two days. But I am told how well I look; and I really think I get more mobility. I dined on Tues

F

day

day with Ramfay, and on Thursday with Paoli, who talked of coming to fee you, till I told him of your migration.

Mrs. Williams is not yet returned; but discord and difcontent reign in my humble habitation as in the palaces of monarchs.Mr. Levet and Mrs. Defmoulins have vowed eternal hate. Levet is the more infidious, and wants me to turn her out. Poor Williams writes word that she is no better, and has left off her phyfick. Mr. Levet has feen Dr. Lewis, who declares himself hopeless of doing her any good. Lawrence defponded fome time ago.

I thought I had a little fever fome time, but it seems to be ftarved away. Bozzy fays, he never faw me fo well. I hope you will fay the fame when you fee me: methinks it will be pleasant to fee you all-there is no danger of my forgetting you. Only keep or grow all well, and then I hope our meeting will be happy.

I am, &c.

LETTER CCXV.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

October 21, 1779.

OUR treatment of little **** was un

YOUR

doubtedly right; when there is so strong a reason against any thing as unconquerable terrour, there ought surely to be fome weighty reason for it before it is done. But for putting into the water a child already well, it is not very easy to find any reason ftrong or weak. That the nurfes fretted, will fupply me during life with an additional motive to keep every child, as far as is poffible, out of a nurse's power. A nurse made of common mould will have a pride in overpowering a child's reluctance. There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful; power is nothing but as it is felt, and the delight of fuperiority is proportionate to the resistance overcome.

I walked yesterday to Covent-garden, and feel to-day neither pain nor weakness. Send F 2

me,

me, if you can, fuch an account of yourself and my master.

Sir Philip fent me word that he should be in town, but he has not yet called. Yefterday came Lady Lucan and Miss Bingham, and she said it was the first visit that she had paid.

Your new friend Mr. Bowen, who has fold fifty fets, had but thirty to fell, and I am afraid has yet a fet or two for a friend. There is a great deal of fallacy in this world. I hope you do not teach the company wholly to forfake poor 'Thomas.

The want of company is an inconvenience, but Mr. Cumberland is a million. Make the most of what you have. Send my mafter out to hunt in the morning, and to walk the rooms in the evening; and bring him as active as a ftag on the mountain, back to the borough. When he is in motion he is mending.

The young ones are very good in minding their book. If I do not make fomething of them, 'twill reflect upon me, as I knew not my trade; for their parts are fufficiently known, and every body will have a better opinion of