30. To Mr. WEST. The time of his departure from Florence determined.
Alteration in his temper and spirits. Difference between an Italian fair
and an English one. A farewell to Florence and its prospects, in Latin
hexameters. Imitation, in the same language, of an Italian sonnet
Account of Mr. Gray's return home, and of his second visit to the Grande
Chartreuse, where he wrote an Alcaic Ode, which concludes the Section 104
Prefatory narrative. Mr. Gray's father dies, and the year after he returns
to Cambridge, and takes a degree in civil law; during that interval he cor-
responds with Mr. West
1. From Mr. WEST. His spirits not as yet improved by country air. Has
begun to read Tacitus, but does not relish him
2. To Mr. WEST. Earnest hopes for his friend's better health, as the warm
weather comes on. Defence of Tacitus, and his character. Of the new
Dunciad. Sends him a speech from the first scene of Agrippina
The plan, dramatis personæ, and all the speeches which Mr. Gray wrote of
that tragedy, inserted
3. From Mr. WEST. Criticism on his friend's tragic style. Latin hexa-
meters on his own cough
4. To Mr. WEST. Thanks for his verses. On Joseph Andrews. Defence
of old words in tragedy
5. From Mr. WEST. Answer to the former, on the subject of antiquated ex-
pressions
6. To Mr. WEST. Has laid aside his tragedy. Difficulty of translating
Tacitus