feventy, is certainly losing time, if he intends ever to be light and airy.

I dined on Tuesday with *** and hope her little head begins to fettle. She has, however, fome fcruples about the company of a lady whom the has lately known. I pacified her as well as I could. So no more at prefent; but hoping you are all in good health, as I am at this time of writing, (excufe hafte)

I am, deareft dearest Lady,

HIS day I thought myself fure of a letter,

TH

but fo I am constantly served. Mr. Cumberland and Mrs. *** * and Mrs. Byron, and any body elfe, puts me out of your head; and I know no more of you than if

you were

on the other fide of the Cafpian. I thought the two young things were to write too; but for them I do not much care.

On Saturday came home Mrs. Williams, neither better nor worse than when she went; and I dined at **** 's, and found them well pleased with their Italian journey. He took his Lady and son, and three daughters. They staid five months at Rome. They will have now fomething to talk of.

I

gave my poor neighbour your half guinea, and ventured upon making it two guineas at my master's expence. Pray, Madam, how do I owe you half a guinea?

I dined on Sunday with Mr. Strahan, and have not been very well for fome little time. Laft night I was afraid of the gout, but it is gone to-day.

There was on Sunday night a fire at the north end of London-bridge, which has, they fay, deftroyed the water-work.

Does Mr. Thrale continue to hunt in fields for health unbought? If his taste of former pleasures returns, it is a ftrong proof of his recovery. When we meet, we will be jolly blades.

I know not well how it has happened, but I have never yet been at the Bs. * * * * * has called twice on me, and I have seen some more fheets-and away we go.

So I may write and write, and nobody care;

but you can write often enough to Dr. Burney. Queeney sent me a pretty letter, to which✶ ✶ ✶ added a filly short note, in such a filly white hand, that I was glad it was no longer.

I had heard before that *** * had loft not only ten thousand, as you tell me, but twenty thousand, as you with great confiftency tell Dr. Burney; but knowing that no man can lose what he has not, I took it little to heart. I did not think of borrowing; and

indeed he that borrows money for adventures deferves to lose it. No man fhould put into a lottery more than he can spare. Neither D, however, nor B- have given occafion to his lofs.

Notice is taken that I have a cold and a cough; but I have been fo long used to diforders fo much more afflictive, that I have thought on them but little. If they grow worse, fomething should be done.

I hear from every body that Mr. Thrale grows better. He is columen domus; and if he ftands firm, little evils may be overlooked. Drive him out in a morning, lead him out at night, keep him in what buftle you can.

Do not neglect Scrafe. You may perhaps do for him what you have done for * * The serious affair I do not wonder that you cannot mention; and yet I wish it were tranfacted while Scrafe can direct and fuperintend it. No other man, if he fhall have the fame skill and kindness, which I know not where to find, will have the fame influence.

Sir Philip never called upon me, though he promised me to do it. Somebody else has laid hold upon him.

I live here in ftark folitude. Nobody has called upon me this live-long day; yet I comfort myself that I have no tortures in the night. I have not indeed much fleep; but I suppose I have enough, for I am not as fleepy in the day-time as formerly.

I am, &c.

LETTER CCXX.

Το Mrs.

THRA L E.

London, November 7, 1779.

POOR Mrs. ****, I am glad that she runs to you at last for shelter. Give her, dear Madam, what comfort you can. Has any calamity fallen upon her? Her hufband, fo much as I hear, is well enough spoken of; nor is it fuppofed that he had power to do more than has been done. But life must have its end, and commonly an end of gloomy discontent, and lingering distress.