the State of France with characters of the King, his Court and Ministry by Sir G. Carew, ambassador there. This, I think, is all new worth mentioning, that I have seen or heard of, except a Natural History of Peru in Spanish, printed at London by Don something, a man of learning sent thither by that

court on purpose.

I shall venture to accept of a part of that kind offer you once made me (for my finances are much disordered this year) by desiring you to lend me twenty guineas. The sooner you can do this, the more convenient it will be to me, and if you can find a method to pay it here; still more so. But if any thing should happen, that may defer it, or make this method troublesome; then I will desire you to make it payable in town after the first week in June, when I shall be obliged thither.

to go

I want to hear from you, to know of your health and that of your family. My best compliments to Mrs. Wharton. Mr. Brown comes and throws in his little compliments too, and we are both very truly

Yours,

T. G.

LETTER XX.

MR. GRAY TO MR. WHARTON.

MY DEAR WHARTON,

I PROMISED Dr. Keene long since to give you an account of our magnificences here, but the news-papers and he himself in person have got the start of my indolence, so that by this time you are well acquainted with all the events that adorned that week of wonders, thus much I may venture to tell you, because it is probable nobody else has done it, that our friend Chappy's zeal and eloquence surpassed all power of description. Vesuvio in an eruption was not more violent than his utterance, nor (since I am at my mountains) Pelion with all its pine trees in a storm of wind more impetuous than his action, and yet the Senate-house still stands, and (I thank God) we are all safe and well at your service. ready to sink for him and scarce dared to look about me, when I was sure it was all over; but soon found I might have spared my confusion, for all people joined to applaud him: every thing was quite right; and I dare swear, not three people here but think him a model of oratory. For all the Duke's little court came with a resolution to be pleased; and when the tone was once given, the University, who ever wait for the judgement of their betters, struck into it with an admirable harmony. For the rest of the performances they were

I was

*The Duke of Newcastle's Installation as Chancellor of the University.-Mason.

(as usual) very ordinary. Every one, while it lasted, was very gay and very busy in the morning, and very owlish and very tipsey at night. I make no exceptions from the Chancellour to Blew-coat. Mason's Ode was the only entertainment, that had any tolerable elegance: and for my own part I think it (with some little abatements) uncommonly well on such an occasion, pray let me know your sentiments, for doubtless you have seen it. The author of it grows a pace in my good graces: he is very ingenious, with great good-nature and simplicity. A little vain, but in so harmless and so comical way, that it does not offend one at all; a little ambitious, but withal so ignorant in the world and its ways, that this does not hurt him in one's opinion. So sincere and so undisguised, that no mind with a spark of generosity would ever think of hurting him, he lies so open to injury, but so indolent that if he cannot overcome this habit, all his good qualities will signify nothing at all. After all I like him so well, I could wish you knew him.

Tuthill who was here at the Installation and in high spirits, will come to settle in Cambridge at Michaelmas, and I have hopes, that these two, with Brown's assistance, may bring Pembroke into some esteem: but then there is no making bricks without straw. They have no boys at all, and unless you can send us a hamper or two out of the north to begin with, they will be like a few rats straggling about an old deserted mansion-house.

I should be glad (as you will see Keene often) if you could throw in a word, as of your own head merely, about a Fellowship for Stonhewer: he has several times mentioned it himself, as a thing he would try to bring about either at Queen's or Christ's, where he has interest: but I know not how, it has

gone off again, and we have heard no more lately about it. I know it is not practicable here at Peter-house, because of his county; and though at Pembroke we might possibly get a majority, yet Roger is an animal, that might play over again all his old game, and with a better appearance than before, You would therefore oblige me, if you would sound him upon this subject, for it is Stonhewer's wish, and (I think) would be an advantage to him, if he had a reason for continuing here some time longer: if you can get Keene to be explicit about it (but it must seem to be a thought entirely of your own) I will desire you to let me know the result. My best wishes, dear Sir, ever attend on you and Mrs. Wharton. I am most sincerely and unalterably yours,

August 8th, [1749] Cambridge.

LETTER XXI.

MR. GRAY TO HIS MOTHER.

T. G.

Cambridge, Nov. 7, 1749.

THE unhappy news I have just received from you equally surprizes and afflicts me*. I have lost a person I

*The death of his aunt, Mrs. Mary Antrobus, who died the 5th of November, and was buried in a vault in Stoke church-yard near the chancel door, in which also his mother and himself (according to the direction in his will) were afterwards buried.-Mason.

loved very much, and have been used to from my infancy; but am much more concerned for your loss, the circumstances of which I forbear to dwell upon, as you must be too sensible of them yourself; and will, I fear, more and more need a consolation that no one can give, except He who has preserved her to you so many years, and at last, when it was his pleasure, has taken her from us to himself: and perhaps, if we reflect upon what she felt in this life, we may look upon this as an instance of his goodness both to her, and to those that loved her. She might have languished many years before our eyes in a continual increase of pain, and totally helpless; she might have long wished to end her misery without being able to attain it; or perhaps even lost all sense, and yet continued to breathe; a sad spectacle to such as must have felt more for her than she could have done for herself. However you may deplore your own loss, yet think that she is at last easy and happy; and has now more occasion to pity us than we her. I hope, and beg, you will support yourself with that resignation we owe to Him, who gave us our being for our good, and who deprives us of it for the same reason. I would have come to you directly, but you do not say whether you desire I should or not; if you do, I beg I may know it, for there is nothing to hinder me, and I am in very good health.

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