LETTER CXXXIX.

To Mrs. BODHAM.

Weston, June 29, 1790.

MY DEAREST COUSIN,

It is true that I did sometimes com

plain to Mrs. Unwin of your long silence, but it is likewise true that I made many excuses for you in my own mind, and did not feel myself at all inclined to be angry, nor even much to wonder. There is an awkwardness, and a difficulty in writing to those whom distance, and length of time, have made in a manner new to us, that naturally give us a check when you would otherwise be glad to address them. But a time, I hope, is near at hand, when you and I shall be effectually delivered from all such constraints, and correspond as fluently as if our intercourse had suffered much less interruption.

You must not suppose, my dear, that though I may be said to have lived many years with a pen in my hand, I am myself altogether at my ease on this tremendous occasion. Imagine rather, and you will come nearer to the truth, that when I placed this sheet before me, I asked myself more than once, how shall I fill it? One subject indeed presents itself, the pleasant prospect that opens upon me of our coming once more together, but that once exhausted, with what shall I proceed? Thus I questioned myself; but finding neither end nor profit of such questions, I bravely resolved to

dismiss

dismiss them all at once, and to engage in the great enterprize of a Letter to my quondam Rose at a venture.-There is great truth in a rant of Nat. Lee's, or of Dryden's, I know not which, who makes an enamoured youth say to his mistress.

And Nonsense shall be Eloquence in Love.

For certain it is that they who truly love one another, are not very nice examiners of each other's style or matter; if an epistle comes, it is always welcome, though it be perhaps neither so wise, nor so witty, as one might have wished to make it.

And now, my Cousin, let me tell thee, how much I feel myself obliged to Mr. Bodham, for the readiness he expresses to accept my invitation. Assure him, that stranger as he is to me at present, and natural as the dread of strangers has ever been to me, I shall yet receive him with open arms, because he is your husband, and loves you dearly. That consideration alone will endear him to me, and I dare say that I shall not find it his only recommendation to my best affections. May the health of his relation (his Mother I suppose) be soon restored, and long continued, and may nothing melancholy of what kind soever, interfere to prevent our joyful meeting. Between the present moment and September, our house is clear for your reception, and you have nothing to do but to give us a day or two's notice of your coming. In September we expect Lady Hesketh, and I only regret that our house is not large enough

VOL. I.

Cc c

enough to hold all together, for were it possible that you could meet, you would love each other.

Mrs. Unwin bids me offer you her best love. She is never well, but always patient, and always cheerful, and feels beforehand, that she shall be loth to part with you.

My love to all the dear Donnes of every name-Write soon, no matter about what.

LETTER CXL.

To Lady HESKETH.

W. C.

July 7, 1790.

Instead of beginning with the saffron

vested morning to which Homer invites me, on a morning that has no saffron vest to boast, I shall begin with you.

It is irksome to us both to wait so long as we must for you, but we are willing to hope, that by a longer stay, you will make us amends for all this tedious procrastination.

Mrs, Unwin has made known her whole case to Mr. Gregson, whose opinion of it has been very consolatory to me. He says indeed it is a case perfectly out of the reach of all physical aid, but at the same time not at all dangerous. Constant pain is a sad grievance

whatever

whatever part is affected, and she is hardly ever free from an aching head, as well as an uneasy side, but patience is an anodyne of God's own preparation, and of that he gives her largely.

The French who like all lively folks, are extreme in every thing, are such in their zeal for Freedom, and if it were possible to make so noble a cause ridiculous, their manner of promoting it could not fail to do so. Princes and peers reduced to plain gentlemanship, and gentles reduced to a level with their own lacqueys, are excesses of which they will repent hereafter. Difference of rank and subordination, are, I believe, of God's appointment, and consequently essential to the well being of society: but what we mean by fanaticism in religion is exactly that which animates their politics, and unless time should sober them, they will, after all, be an unhappy people. Perhaps it deserves not much to be wondered at, that at their first escape from tyrannical shackles, they should act extravagantly, and treat their kings, as they have sometimes treated their idols. To these however they are reconciled in due time again, but their respect for monarchy is at an end. They want nothing now but a little English sobriety, and that they want extremely : I heartily wish them some wit in their anger, for it were great pity that so many millions should be miserable for want of it,

LETTER CXLI.

To JOHN JOHNSON, Esqr.

Weston, July 8, 1790.

MY DEAR JOHNNY,

You do well to perfect yourself on the Violin, Only beware that an amusement so very bewitching as Music, especially when we produce it ourselves, do not steal from you all those hours that should be given to study. I can be well content that it should serve you as a refreshment after severer exercises, but not that it should engross you wholly. Your own good sense will most probably dictate to you this precaution, and I might have spared you the trouble of it, but I have a degree of zeal for your proficiency in more important pursuits, that would not suffer me to suppress it.

Having delivered my conscience by giving you this sage ad. monition, I will convince you that I am a censor not over and above severe, by acknowledging in the next place that I have known very good performers on the Violin, very learned also; and my Cousin, Dr. Spencer Madan, is an instance.

I am delighted that you have engaged your Sister to visit us ; for I say to myself, if John be amiable, what must Catharine be ? For we males, be we angelic as we may, are always surpassed by the ladies. But know this, that I shall not be in love with either

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