their industry than of mine.

However, I hope when they come back, to accuftom them to more leffons.

Your account of Mr. Scrafe gives me no delight. He was a friend upon all occafions, whether affiftance was wanted from the purfe or the understanding. When he is gone, our barrier against calamity is weakened; and we muft act with caution, or we shall be in more danger. Confult him, while his advice is yet to be had.

What makes C hate B. D is indeed a rival, and can upon occafion provoke a bugle. But what has B done? Does he not like her look?

* has paffed one evening with me. He has made great discoveries in a library at Cambridge, and he finds fo many precious materials, that his book must be at porter's load. He has fent me another sheet.

I am, dearest of all dear Ladies,

Your, &c.

LETTER CCXVI.

To Mrs. THRALE.

DEAR MADAM,

LE

London, October 25, 1779.

ET me repair an injury done by mifinformation to Mr. Bowen. He had at first indeed only thirty, that is, two shares; but he afterwards purchased two fhares more. So all that he says I fuppofe is true.

On Saturday I walked to Dover-street, and back. Yesterday I dined with Sir Joshua. There was Mr. Elliot of Cornwall, who enquired after my mafter. At night I was bespoken by Lady Lucan; but fhe was taken ill, and the assembly was put off. I am to dine with Renny to-morrow.

I hope Mr. Thrale fcours the country after the early horn, and at night flutters about the rooms, and once a-day makes a lufty dinner. I eat meat but once in two days, at most but four times a-week, reckoning several weeks together; for it is neither neceffary nor prudent to be nice in regimen. Renny told

me

me yesterday, that I look better than when the knew me first.

It is now paft the poftman's time, and I have no letter; and that is not well done, because I long for a letter; and you should always let me know whether you and Mr. Thrale, and all the reft, are or are not well. Do not serve me so often, because your filence is always a disappointment.

Some old gentlewomen at the next door are in very great diftrefs. Their little annuity comes from Jamaica, and is therefore uncertain; and one of them has had a fall, and both are very helpless; and the poor have you to help them. Persuade my mafter to let me give them something for him. It will be beftowed upon real want.

I hope all the younglings go on well, that the eldest are very prudent, and the reft very merry. We are to be merry but a little while; Prudence foon comes to spoil our mirth. Old Times have bequeathed us a precept, to be merry and wife, but who has been able to observe it.

There is a very furious fellow writing with might and main against the life of Milton.

I am, &c.

SOME days before our last separation, Mr. Thrale and I had one evening an earnest discourse about the business with Mr. Scrafe. For myself, you may be fure I am very willing to be useful; but furely all use of such an office is at a very great distance. Do not let those fears prevail which you know to be unreasonable; a will brings the end of life no nearer. But with this we will have done, and please ourselves with wishing my master multos et felices.

CL

accuses * * * * of making a party against her play. I always hiffed away the charge, fuppofing him a man of honour; but I fhall now defend him with lefs confidence. Nequid nimis. Horace fays, that Nil admirari is the only thing that can

make

make or keep a man happy. It is with equal truth the only thing that can make or keep a man honeft. The defire of fame not regulated, is as dangerous to virtue as that of money. I hope C-fcorns his little malice.

which I

I have had a letter for * * have inclosed. Do not lofe it; for it contains a teftimony that there may be fome pleasure in this world; and that I may have a little of the little that there is, pray me. I thought your last letter long in coming.

write to

The two younglings, what hinders them from writing to me. I hope they do not forget me.

Will Mafter give me any thing for my poor neighbours? I have had from Sir Joshua and Mr. Strahan; they are very old maids, very friendless and very helpless.

Mrs. Williams talks of coming home this week from Kingston, and then there will be merry doings.

I eat meat feldom, and take phyfick often, and fancy that I grow light and airy. A man that does not begin to grow light and airy at feventy,