SIR, Sunday Morning.
TV/f Y fifter and I fhall be at home all day : if any
company come that you don't like, I'll go up
into any room with you: I hope we mall fee you.
Yours, etc.
LETTER LXVI,
TO MR. GAY.
Dear Mr. Gay,
A BOVE all other news, fend us the beft, that of
your good health, if you enjoy it ; which Mr.
Harcourt made us very much fear. If you have any
defign either to amend your health, or your life, I
know no better expedient than to come hither, where
you fhould not want room though I lay myfelf in a
truckle-bed under the Doctor. You might here con-
verfe with the old Greeks, be initiated into all their
cuftoms, and learn their prayers by heart as we have
done: the Doctor, laft Sunday, intending to fay Our
Father, was got halfway in Chryfes* prayer to Apollo.
The ill eife&s of contention and fquabbling, fo lively
defcribed
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. t6$
defcribed in the firft Iliad, make Dr. Parnelle and my.
felf continue in the moft exemplary union in every
thing. We deferve to be worfhipped by all the poor,
jiivided, fa&ious, mterefted poets of this world.
As we rife in our fpeculations daily, we are grown
fo grave, that we have not condefcended to laugh at
any of the idle things about us this week : I have con-
traded a feverity of afpecb from deep meditation on
high fubjects, equal to the formidable front of black-
browed Jupiter, and become an awful nod as well,
when I afient to fome grave and weighty proportion
of the Doftor, or inforce a criticifm of my own. In
a word, Y g himfelf has not acquired more tragic
majefly in his afpecl: by reading his own verfes, than I
by Homer's.
In this ftate I cannot confent to your publication of
that ludicrous trifling burlefque you write about. Dr.
Parnelle alfo joins in my opinion, that it will by no
means be well to print it.
Pray give (with the utntoft fidelity and efteem) my
hearty fervice to the Dean, Dr. Arbuthnot, Mr. Ford,
and to Mr. Fortefcue. Let them alfo know at But-
ton's that I am mindful of them. I am, divine Bu-
coliafl !
THY LOVING COUNTRYMAN.
*66 LETTERS TO AND
LETTER LXVIL
TO THE SAME.
Dear Sir, Oftober 23.
T HAVE been perpetually troubled with ficknefs of
late, which has made me fo melancholy, that the
immortality of the foul has been my conftant fpecu-
lation, as the mortality of my body my conftant
plague. In good earned, Seneca is nothing to a fit
of illnefs.
Dr. Parnelle will honour Tonfon's Mifcellany with
fome very beautiful copies, at my requeft. He enters
heartily into our defign : I only fear his flay in town
may chance to be but fhort. Dr. Swift much ap-
proves what I propofed, even to the very title, which
I defign mail be, The Works of the Unlearned^ pub-
limed monthly, in which whatever book appears that
deferves praife, mail be depreciated ironically, and in
the fame manner that modern critics take to under-
value works of value, and to commend the high pro-
ductions of Grub-ftreet.
I mall go into the country about a month hence,
and mail then defire to take along with me your
poem of the Fan, to confider it at full leifure. I am
deeply engaged in poetry, the particulars whereof
fhall be deferred till we meet.
I am very defirous of feeing Mr. Fortefcue when
he comes to town, before his journey ; if you can
any
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 267
any way acquaint him of my defire, I believe his
good-nature will contrive a way for our meeting. I
am ever, with all fmcerity, dear Sir,
Your, etc.
LETTER LXVIII.
FROM HIS MOTHER.
My Deare, Tuefday, 12 o'clock.
* Letter from your fifter yuft now is come and
gone, Mr. Mannock and Charls Rackitt, to take
his leve of us, but being nothing in it doe not fend it.
He will not faile to cole here on Friday morning, and
take ceare to cearrie itt to Mr. Thomas Doncafter.
He mail dine wone day with Mrs. Dune, in Ducke-
ftreet ; but the day will be unfirton, foe I thinck you
had better to fend itt to me. He will not faile to
cole here, that is Mr. Mannock. Your filler is very
well, but your brother is not. Theres Mr. Blunt, of
mapill Durom, is ded ; the fame day that Mr. Ingle-
field died. My firvis to Mrs. Blunts, and all that afk
of me. I hope to here from you, and that you are
well, which is my dalye prayers ; this, with my bleff-
ing,
I am, etc.
83* // appears from manufcripts of Mr. POPE, that he
occafionally indulged his affectionate and amiable mother
in
2 68 LETTERS TO AND $1
in tranfcribing feme part of his Iliad for the prefs ; and
the numerous corrections made in his own hand, fujfici-
ently Jhew, that her mode of fpelling gave him more
trouble than the fubfequent inaccuracy of his printers.
The pleafure fuch a good old 'woman inuft have felt in
writing over verfes, which Jhe jujily thought would con-
fer immortality on her fen, is more eafy to be conceived
than exprejfed ; while his willingnefs to fupport her in
the enjoyment of a fancied conference, affords a glimpfe
of that Jilial tendernefs, which forms perhaps the mo/i
captivating trait in his whole character.
LETTER LXIX.
FROM MR. TONSON.
SIR, Gray's-Inn-Gate, April 20, 1706.
j HAVE lately feen a Paftoral of yours in Mr. Walfh's
and Congreve's hands, which is extremely fine, and
is approved of by the bell judges in poetry. I remem-
ber I have formerly feen you at my mop, and am
forry I did not improve my acquaintance with you.
If you defign your poem for the prefs, no perfon mail
be more careful in the printing of it, nor no one can
give greater encouragement to it than,- Sir,
Your, etc.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 269
LETTER LXX.
FROM THE SAME.
rrod',7 ilDJ
SIR, December 23, 1724.
T CANNOT poffibly fee you at Twitnam myifelf. I
have therefore fent you the Preface from Lord
Cobham, and a proof of the Monument with the
draft. I requeft the favour of you to fettle the In-
fcription as you would have it, and return it to me,
then the plate may be worked. J do aflure you I (hall
always be very glad to oblige and ferve you all in my
power, and am,
Your, etc.
f :^M&^,i&wt .
I was with the Speaker yeilerday ; he told me you
had promifed to dine with him at Chifwick in the
holydays, and bring your Preface (with fome alter-
ations) with you. After that, I beg to have it, for I
am impatient to publifli.
LETTER LXXI.
FROM THE SAME.
^7 ou have, enclofed, the account of the profit of
works. For the books fold I have allow-
ed you all the money I have received, and the .bind-
ing,
270 LETTERS TO AND
ing, etc. I have charged at the price it coft me. You
will pleafe to call and bring with you the agreement
between us, which may be executed. I will give you
my note to deliver the books left when required. I
wifh you would fend me the Merchant of Venice by
the waterman.
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXII.
FROM THE SAME.
t m bus C
Dear Sir, Thurfday, eleven at night.
T HAVE juft now received yours, and indeed it is
not my fault I have not feen you, having been
hindered by bufmefs I could not help minding ; but I
will not fail feeing you on Sunday morning early, but
muft return to dinner, having a little company to dine
with me that day. Do but excufe me till I fee you,
and I will fatisfy you that I have not neglected you.
As for Shakfpear, Watts's brother died lately, which
has hindered his bufmefs a little j but now things will
go on better.
Your, etc.
i t sviirf uq-yr
H
: \ i :;! 3! [fi COT fo
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 171
LETTER LXXHL
TO MR. LINTOTT.
SIR,
PRAY fend Mr. Broom the fheets of all the notes
that are printed, that he may avoid the repetitions,
etc. but I would not have the poetry fent, knowing
the confequences of its being mown about to every
body before it's publifhed, which I will not have
done ; nor, I fuppofe, would you. I am
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXIV.
FROM MR. LINTOTT.
SIR, June 10, 1715.
xrou have Mr. Tickell's book to divert one hour.
It is already condemned here, and the malice
and juggle at Button's is the converfation of thofe
who have fpare moments from politics.
Sir John Germain has his book.
All your books are delivered purfuant to the direc-
tions, the middle of the week after you left us.
The Princefs is extremely pleafed with her book. |
You
C 7 2 LETTERS TO AND
You fhall have your folios preferved.
Mr. Broom I have not heard from.
Pray detain me not from publifhing my own book,
having delivered the greateft part of the fubfcribers
already upwards of four hundred.
I defigned to publifh Monday fevennight. Pray
interrupt me not with an errata.
i I doubt not the fale of Homer, if you do not dif-
appoint me by delaying publication.
Your, etc.
Service to Mr. Gay,
Lord Boljngbroke is impeached this night.
The noife the report makes does me fome prefent
damage.
TlETTER LXXV.
FROM THE SAME.
.1
&'; U dW B. June 2 2 , 1 7 1 5 .
nHE- hurry I have been in by the report from the
Committee of Secrecy, to get it published, has pre-
vented the publication of Homer for the prefent, till
the noife be over j and thofe whom I expected to be
very noify on account of your translation, are buried
in politics.
i Mr.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 273
Mr. Thornhill fent to me for his own book, which
he paid for to you, as he fays, and paid me eight
guineas of the fubfcriptions of
Sarah, Countefs of Winchelfea.
Mrs. Seymour.
Berkley Seymour, Efq.
Charles Frotherby, Efq.
Mr. Harcourt and Lord Harcourt have had thirteen
books to their houfe, ten of which were of the fineft
paper.
I will obferve your dire&ions about Mr. Broome.
The fecond volume of Homer mall be fent in a day
or two.
The projeft for printing the firft book of Homer,
with Mr. Dry den's, and Mr. Tickle's, and Mr. Man-
warrings, together, is well thought of. I propofed
it to Mr. Tonfon, but it will not do. I will confider
further of it.
The Duke of Ormond is to be impeached for high-
treafon, and Earl of Stafford for high crimes and
mifdemeanors.
May fuccefs attend your ftudies, is the hearty
prayer of
Yours, to command.
VOL. VIII.
274 LETTERS TO AND
LETTER LXXVI.
MR. STEELE TO MR. L1NTOTT.
Mr. Lintott, Auguft 4, 1712.
TV/IT R. Addifon defired me to tell you, that he wholly
difapproves the manner of treating Mr. Den-
nis in a little pamphlet by way of Dr. Norris's ac-
count*. When he thinks fit to take notice of Mr.
Dennis's objections to his writings-]-, he will do it in a
way Mr. Dennis mail have no juft reafon to complain
of. But when the papers above-mentioned were
offered to be communicated to him, he faid he could
not, either in honour or confcience, be privy to fuch
a treatment, and was forry to hear of it.
I am,
Your, etc.
* Of the frenzy of Mr. John Den . A narrative written by
Mr. Pope. See his Letter to Mr. Addifon of July 30, 1714.
f Rcmarki upon Cato.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 275
LETTER LXXVII.
MR. FENTON TO MR. LINTOTT.
Mr. LintOtt, September 14, 1719.
PRAY give my moft humble fervice to Mr. Pope,
and tell him, I beg the favour of him to let me
know when he comes to town, what morning I mail
wait on him at his lodging ; for I walk out in a morn-
ing fo often, that I may therewife lofe an opportunity
of feeing him.
Lib. xxii. ver. 132. The firft part of Dacier's note
is taken from Euflathius ; but inftead of Aurelius
Victor and Dion, he quotes Herodotus, without men-
tioning the book he takes it from.
Ver, 467. I cannot find that Euflathius affigns
the fame reafons that Mm. does, why Apollo and Nep-
tune do not fight with one another.
Your, etc.
I will endeavour to find out the paffage above-
mentioned in Herodotus.
T 2
276 LETTERS TO AND
LETTER LXXVIII.
FROM MR. FENTON.
T HAVE received a fpecimen of the extracts from
Euftathius but this week. The firft gentleman who
undertook the affair, grew weary, and now Mr.
Thirlby, of Jefus, has recommended another to me
with a very great character *. I think, indeed, at firft
fight, that his performance is commendable enough,
and have fent word for him to finim the iyth book,
and to fend it with his demands for his trouble. He
engageth to complete a book every month till Chrift-
mas, and the remaining books in a month more, if
you require them. The laft time I faw Mr. Lintott,
he told me that Mr. Broome had offered his fervice
again to you ; if you accept it, it would be proper for
him to let you know what books he will undertake,
that the Cambridge gentleman may proceed to the
reft.
I am, etc.
I have here inclofed the fpecimen ; if the reft come
before the return, I will keep 'em till I receive your
orders. I have defired the gentleman to write the
reft in folio, with half the page left blank.
* This was Dr. Jortin.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 277
LETTER LXXIX.
., . . j , .. , t ... . - r,
FROM MR. WYCHERLEY.
February 19, 1706-7.
j HAVE received yours of the 26th, as kind as it is
ingenious, for which therefore I moft heartily thank
you. It would have been much more welcome to me,
had it not informed me of your want of health ; but
you who have a mind fo vigorous, may well be con-
tented with its crazy habitation ; fmce (you know) the
old fmiilitude fays, the keennefs of the mind fooneft
wears out the body, as the fharpeft fword fooneft de-
ftroys the fcabbard : fo that (as I fay) you muft be
fatisfied with your apprehenfion of an uneafy life,
though I hope not a fhort one ; notwithflanding that
generally your found wits (though weak bodies) are
immortal hereafter, by that genius, which fhortens
your prefent life, to prolong that of the future. But
I yet hope, your great, vigorous, and active mind will
not be able to deftroy your little, tender, and crazy
carcafs.
Now to fay fomething to what you write concern-
ing the prefent epidemic diftemper of the mind and
age, calumny ; I know it is no more to be avoided
(at one time or another of our lives) than a fever or
an ague ; and, as often thofe difteinpers attend or
threaten the beft conftitutions, from the worft air ;
T 3 fo
278 LETTERS TO AND
fo does that malignant air of calumny fooneft attack
the found and elevated in mind, as ftorms of wind the
tallelt and moft fruitful trees ; whilft the low and
weak, for bowing and moving to and fro, are by their
weaknefs fecure from the danger and violence of the
tempeft. But fo much for (linking rumour, which
weakeft minds are mod afraid of; as Irifhmen, though
the naftieft of mankind, are moft offended at a fart.
LETTER LXXX.
FROM MR. TRUMBULL.
: . .' -. i. : . fcTJ&W
SIR, . June 15, 1706.
1 T is alwayes to my advantage to correfpond with you ;
for I either have the ufe of your bookes, or (which
I value much more) your converfation. I am fure it
will be my fault if I do not improve by both. I wifh
alfo I could learn fome more {kill in gardning from
your father (to whome with your good mother all our
fervices are prefented,with thankes for the hartichokes)
who has fet us a pattern that I am afraid we mail
copie but in miniature ; for fo our hartichokes are in
refpeft of his. In all things I am ready to yield, ex-
cept in the affurances that nobody can be more than
I am,
Yours, etc.
Poor Jeunie is ftill afflicted with her ague.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 279
LETTER LXXXI.
FROM MR. WALSH.
SIR, Abberley, July 21, 1707.
TjAviNG received the favour of your letter of the
third of this month, wherein you give me hopes
of feeing you before the end of it, I am in dayly ex-
pectation of receiving your commands to fend a coach
or horfes to meet you at Worcefter, and not put you
to the inconvenience of fuch horfes as you will finde
at the pofl-houfe. It was nothing but the fear that
you mould not fend me word time enough for me to
fend horfes to meet you, that makes me give you the
trouble of this letter. And I expect no other anfwer
but to that point, as for all others
Nil mihi refcribas, attamen ipfe veni.
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXII.
FROM MR. STEELE.
Dear Sir, January 20, 1711.
HAVE received your very kind letter. That part
of it which is grounded upon your belief that I have
much affection and friendfhip for you, I receive with
great pleafure. That which acknowledges the honour
T 4 done
I
2 8o LETTERS TO AND
done to your Efiay *, I have no pretence to ; it was
written by one whom I will make you acquainted
with, which is the befl return I can make to you for
your favour to, Sir,
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXIII.
FROM THE SAME.
SIR, July 26, 1711.
j WRIT to you the other day, and hope you have
received my letter. This is for the fame end, to
know whether you are at leifure to help Mr. Clayton,
that is, me, to fome words for mufick againft winter.
Your anfwer to me at Will's, will be a great favour
to, Sir,
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXIV.
FROM MR. ROWE.
Dear Sir, Thurfday, May 20, 1713.
T DON'T know that I have a long time received a
billet with greater pleafure than yours. Depend
upon it, nothing could have been more agreeable but
yourfelf.
* Eflay on Criticifm.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 281
yourfelf. To do fomething then that is perfeftly
kind, come and eat a bit of mutton with me to-mor-
row at Stockwell. Bring whom you will along with
you, though I can give you nothing " but the afore-
faid mutton and a cup of ale." It is but a little mile
from Fox-hall ; and you don't know how much you
oblige
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXV.
FROM MR. CARYLL.
W. Grinfted, July 1 6, 1717.
j HAVE not had a word from your holinefs fmce
my laft to you, nor any account of the receipt of
fome pictures that I defired you to get framed and
fecured. This, and the earned defire I have of kiff-
ing your toe at Grinftead, or rather a pretty lady's
cheek, (whom you talked of as a companion in your
journey,) occafions you the trouble of this, to know
the reafon why you flag in your good refolutions, or
rather in the execution of them. But I enjoy you
in fpirit, though I cannot in perfon ; for your works
are my daily lecture, and with what fatisfadion I
need not to repeat to you. But pray in your next tell
me who was the unfortunate Lady you addrefs a copy
of verfes to. I think you once gave me her hiflory,
4 but
2 82 LETTERS TO AND
but it is now quite out of my head. But now I have
named fuch a perfon, Mrs. Cope occurs to my mind.
I have complied with her defires, though I thinke a
fecond voyage to fuch a rafcall is the mofl prepofle-
rous thing imaginable ; but mulkrem fortem quit inve-
metl 'Tis harder to find than the man Diogenes lookt
for with a candle and lantern att noon-day. Adieu. I
am, mofl abruptly, but mofl fincerely,
Yours, etc.
LETTER LXXXVI.
FROM THE SAME.
Dear Sir, Auguft 18,1717.
7 HEN yours of the 6th inflant arrived here, I was
gott into the Eaft, not among the wyfe men of
that corner, butt amidfl the fools of Tunbridge. My
flay with them was butt of four days, butt I had fpent
the three preceding ones, I think, in worfe company,
the knaves of the law att our country aflizes at Lewes.
A caufe called me thither, which, though I gained, I
may brag of like my brother Teague, that it was jufl
nothing att all, nor had I gott that neither had I not
beflirred my flumps.
When my pictures are done, be pleafed to order
them down to Lady holt by the Stanfled carrier, who
inns in Gerrard-ftreet. You anfwer not my queflion
who
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 283
who the unfortunate. Lady was that you infcribe a copy
of verfes to in .your book. I long to be retould her
ftory, for I believe you allreddy tould me formerly ;
but I mail referr that and a thoufand other things more
to chatt over at our next meeting, which I hope
draws near ; prefume my wife has fixed on a time
with my dear Patty, to whom I pray my humble fer-
vice, as alfo to her fair fifter. I am in more hafte, or
rather hurry, than ufual, but not lefie,
Sir,
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXVII.
FROM MR. HUGHES.
Red Lion-Street, Holborn, againft
Dear Sir, Eaft-Street, Jan. 22, 1719.
j AM very forry to hear of your ill health, and that
my meflage came fo unfeafonable as to give you fo
much trouble to anfwer it. I hope by your men-
tioning your coming to town, that you are on the
mending hand, and that the fpring coming on will be
favourable to you. If you mould not come in a day
or two, I mufl beg your return of the copy, which is
much wanted, the time of acting drawing very near.
Your not being in a condition to fupply me with a
Prologue
284 LETTERS TO AND
Prologue is a great difappointment to me, but I mould
much rather chufe my Play mould want that advan-
tage, than put you to any trouble at prefent which
may be prejudicial ; being with a true refpecl,
Dear Sir,
Your, etc.
LETTER LXXXVIII.
FROM MR. CRAGGS.
Cockpit, O&ober i, 1719.
T WAS yefterday out of town, and came dire&ly here
this morning, where I received your letter, en-
clofed in a very fine one from Sir Godfrey Kneller.
You'll eafily imagine how much I am concerned at
the accident which has befallen him ; but I comfort
myfelf, fmce his hand and head, which I could leafl
have fpared, remain in their former vigour and con-
dition. I don't fee why this misfortune is to be com-
pleted by the lofs of Dr. Arbuthnot's and your good
company, which you'll give me leave to expect to-
morrow at Batterfea, when we will drink Sir God-
frey's health, and make a new appointment againft his
recovery.
I am entirely, dear Sir,
Yqurs.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 285
LETTER LXXXIX.
FRAGMENT OF A LETTER FROM MR. EVANS.
Dear Sir, St. John's, Oxon, May 13, 1719.
jTpis not that I forget you or difrefpeft you, but
knowing you to be a man of true bulinefs I
thought it too impertinent to trouble you with any of
mine ; but now I underftand you are at leifure, have
at you as far as this half fhset will hold. In the firfl
place I am very well fatisfied you have done for me
what you are able, and I heartily thank you, and beg
your pardon, and very much blufh for having given
you any trouble of this kind with a fort of men you
know as much what to make of as I. I don't know
how they are in your church, but in ours, to tell you
the truth, all the clergymen I ever yet faw are a fort
of ecclefiaftical quelques chofes, that between common
honefty and common fenfe I know not what to make
of. They preach indeed paflive obedience, but their
pra&ice is active infolence and impudent injuftice;
and when the laity ufe them as they ufe one another,
there will be an end of 'em Catera defunt.
286 LETTERS TO AND
LETTER XC.
FROM THE SAME.
Dear Sir, St. John's, Oxon, July 26, 1719.
T SHOULD much fooner have fent you my acknow-
ledgment and thanks for the very kind reception
I met with from you at your pleafant houfe at Twic-
kenham, but in troth it has been fo very hot, that I
could neither write, read, or think, but only lie ftill,
fwim, or fleep ; and am flill fo monftroufly lazy, that
you muft expect but a dry fhort letter from me ; no
gallantry or gaity, but only a little downright good
breeding and civility. I hope this will find your
good mother fettled in her health, and alfo yourfelf,
as much as her age and your conflitution will permit.
If wiflies had any power in medicine, I could foon
make you both immortal ; for me very well deferves
it for furnifliing the world with you ; and you have
yourfelf made your name immortal enough. I wifh
only that your body might come in for a fmall mare
of that noble bleffing, if it were only for nine hun-
dred and ninety-nine years. I wifli the fame to your
good friend the Duchefs ; that me might live to
teach people of quality all the good qualities in the
world. I write as I talk, and I fpeak as I think ; and
am, with great fmcerity,
Your, etc.
FROM SEVERAL PERSONS. 287
LETTER XCI.
FROM MR. CONGREVE.
S I R, Afliley, Monday.
T HAD defigned to have waited on you to-day, but
have been out of order fmce Saturday, as I have
been moft of the fummer ; and as the days are now,
unlefs I am able to rife in a morning, it will be hard to
go and come, and have any pleafure between the
whiles. The next day after I had known from you
where Lady Mary was, I fent to know how me did j
but by her anfwer I perceive me has the goodnefs for
me to believe I have been all this fummer here,
though I had been here but a fortnight, when you
came to fee me. Pray give her my moft humble fer-
vice. If I can, I will wait on you. I am,
Your, etc.
LETTER XCIL
FROM THE SAME.
Surry-Street, Jan. 29.
T RETURN you a thoufand thanks for your letter
about Spaw-water. Dr. Arbuthnot has ordered
me at prefent to drink falt-water, fo I cannot ex-
prefsly
288 LETTERS TO AND
prefsly fay when I fhall want the Spaw ; but if the