turning day. In a word, I love you, and delight in your conversation, which permits me to think of something more than what I s**t a fam I' which the conversation of very few others will dulge to, dear i, .

LETTER XIM

we know not what we pity. She is dead to us; she is in another state of existence. We are in the world of reason; she is in the kingdom of imagination: nor can we more judge of her happiness or misery, than we can judge of the joy or sorrow of a person that is asleep. The persons that sleep are, for a time, in the kingdom of imagination too; and she, as they, suffers or enjoys according to the nature of the dreams that prevail.

I heartily rejoice that at length you find benefit from your tar-water. Tar by winter, and steel by summer, are the two champions sent forth by Providence to encounter and subdue the spleen.

In long chronical cases, perseverance is the point: and so it is in the greatest point of all. No man is so profligate, but he is good for moments: perseverance only is wanting to make him a saint. As you persevere in the great point, persevere in this-to a good heart add a good constitution; and then you are (only not an angel) as happy as mortality can admit.

I bless God I am well and I am composing, but it is in wood and stone; for I am building a steeple to my church; and as a wise man is every thing, I expect from you, as an architect, a critique upon it.

I had almost forgot to tell you, that an Irishman has run away with one of my neighbours, and that with such circumstances of intrigue and distress, that its truth alone hinders it from being an excellent romance: just as fiction alone hinders yours from being an excellent history.

You say, my dear friend, that I cannot but think. True! But to live as one ought, requires constant,

if not intense thinking. The shortness and uncer tainty of life is so evident, that all take it for granted it wants no proof: and what follows? why this because we cannot deny it, therefore we give it no attention; that is, we think not of it at all, for a very odd reason, viz. because we should think of nothing else. This is too strictly expressed, but very near the truth. Ask Cibber if he's of my opinion.

Mr. Prior cautions us about frauds in tar, which will defeat our expectations from it. He says it must be Norway tar of a deep brown, and pretty thin. Your, &c.

LETTER XLIII.

LADY BRADSHAIGH TO MR. RICHARDSON.

DEAR SIR,

You ask, "How can I find time for so much reading," &c.? Those who are not obliged to attend to any particular business, have nothing to do but to look for time, and they are sure to find it. But there are those who sit with their eyes shut, and let it pass unobserved, through wilfulness or negligence. No wonder such do not find time.

O, you-you-you worse than ill-natured! How could you rip up the old story of traversing the Park? How could you delight to tear the tender skin off an old wound that never will be quite healed? I was hurt more than you could be. My pain was in the mind, yours only bodily. Did not you forgive me? However (behold the wax I am

made of!) the latter end of this paragraph melts and disarms my intended anger: for the present only; for I shall find further matter for quarrel, I foresee.

The first time my friend saw your picture, he asked, "What honest face have you got there?" And, without staying for an answer, "Do you know, I durst trust that man with my life, without further knowledge of him." I answered, “I do know you might do so with safety; and I put you down for a judge of physiognomy."

As I sit at my writing-desk, I cannot look up without viewing your picture; and I had some hopes the looking upon it, as I writ, might a little have restrained, or at least kept me within bounds. I have tried the experiment, when I have been upon the edge of a ranting humour, and heard myself whisper, "What! with that smiling face?" -and found I was encouraged, rather than restrained so gave you a familiar nod, and ranted on, as I do now, without fear or wit.

I only meant to joke a little upon Dr. Young; not to be severe. If it has that appearance, pray let him not have it; for he might think me very impertinent. He pretends to be serious upon this.

Dec. 27.-I have, since I wrote to you last, stumbled into Dr. Middleton on the Miraculous Powers; and, in truth, I do not like him. Perhaps I do not understand him. But to me he appears a caviller at immaterial points. And I doubt he may do more harm by the controversy he has occasioned, than he can do good by endeavouring to prove many pretended miracles to be either fabulous or the effects of priestcraft. But, seri

ously, I must own he has lessened these ancients greatly in my opinion; for, what can be said in favour of their countenancing so many impositions, as it plainly appears they did? It is but making a poor compliment to Christianity, to say it wanted such gross abuses to strengthen and propagate it. And though to the rational and well judging, it shines the clearer, for having struggled through and shaken off these clogs of absurdities; yet its appearing in its native excellence is not owing to those through whose hands it was transmitted to

us.

You see, sir, I write upon every subject to you, without considering whether proper or not but I know, if I am wrong, you will inform me.

Dec. 28. I should be greatly delighted to see * the correspondence between you and the young lady you mention. Some time or other, I hope to be favoured with it.

I own I do not approve of great learning in women. I believe it rarely turns out to their advantage. No further would I have them to advance, than to what would enable them to write and converse with ease and propriety, and make themselves useful in every stage of life. I hate to hear Latin out of a woman's mouth. There is something in it, to me, masculine. I could fancy such an one weary of the petticoat, and talking over a bottle.

You say, "the men are hastening apace into dictionary learning." The less occasion still for the ladies to proceed in theirs. I should be ashamed of having more learning than my husband. And could we, do you think, help showing a little con