ed in that quarter. I pitied you for the fears which deprived you of your Uncle's company, and the more having suffered so much by those fears myself. Fight against that vicious fear, for such it is, as strenuously as you can. It is the worst enemy that can attack a man destined to the Forum-it ruined me. To associate as much as possible with the most respectable company, for good sense and good breeding, is, I believe, the only, at least I am sure it is the best remedy. The society of men of pleasure will not cure it, but rather leaves us more exposed to its influence in company of better persons. Now for the Dog and the Water-lilly.* 1. ON A SPANIEL CALLED BEAU, KILLING A YOUNG BIRD. A Spaniel, Beau, that fares like you, Well-fed, and at his ease, Should wiser be, than to pursue Each trifle that he sees. W. C. But *NOTE BY THE EDITOR. As the Poem inserted in this Letter has been printed repeatedly, I shall here introduce in its stead two sprightly little Poems, on the same favourite Spaniel, written indeed at a later period, but hitherto, I believe, unpublished. Yet much as Nature I respect, (As you perhaps may recollect) And when your Linnet on a day, Well knowing him a sacred thing, And lick'd his feathers smooth. Let my obedience then excuse Nor some reproof yourself refuse If killing Birds be such a crime, (Which I can hardly see).· What think you, Sir, of killing Time With verse addres'd to me? LETTER LETTER CVI. To SAMUEL ROSE, Esqr. MY DEAR FRIEND, Weston, Sept. 25, 1788. Say what is the thing by my Riddle design'd Which you carried to London, and yet left behind. I expect your answer, and without a fee.-The half hour next before breakfast I devote to you; the moment Mrs. Unwin arrives in the study, be what I have written much or little, I shall make my bow, and take leave. If you live to be a Judge, as if I augur right you will, I shall expect to hear of a walking Circuit. I was shocked at what you tell me of-Superior talents, it seems, give no security for propriety of conduct; on the contrary, having a natural tendency to nourish pride, they often betray the possessor into such mistakes, as men more moderately gifted never commit. Ability, therefore, is not wisdom; and an ounce of grace is a better guard against gross absurdity, than the brightest talents in the world. I rejoice that you are prepared for transcript work; here will be plenty for you. The day on which you shall receive this, I beg you will remember to drink one glass at least to the success of the Iliad, which I finished the day before yesterday, and yester day day began the Odyssey. It will be some time before I shall perceive myself travelling in another road; the objects around me are at present so much the same; Olympus and a council of Gods meet me at my first entrance. To tell you the truth, I am weary of Heroes and Deities, and, with reverence be it spoken, shall be glad for the variety sake, to exchange their company for that of a Cyclops. Weston has not been without its tragedies since you left us: Mrs. Throckmorton's piping Bullfinch has been eaten by a Rat, and the villain left nothing but poor Bully's beak behind him. It will be a wonder if this event does not at some convenient time employ my versifying passion. Did ever fair lady, from the Lesbia of Catullus, to the present day, lose her bird, and find no Poet to commemorate the loss? LETTER CVII. W. C. To SAMUEL ROSE, Esqr. Weston, Nov. 30, 1788. MY DEAR FRIEND, Your Letter, accompanying the books with which you have favoured me, and for which I return you a thousand thanks, did not arrive till yesterday. I shall have great pleasure in taking now and then a peep at my old friend Vincent Bourne, the neatest of all men in his versification, though when I was |