and leisure; which though inferior to the nobler and more animated pleasures of the town, derive some kind of value from change and variety, and serve like shades, to set off and heighten the more luminous and more important objects in the perspective picture of human life, and are perhaps, physically necessary to recruit the mind and body with a fresh supply of animal spirits, to enable it to go through the bustling idleness, or strenua inertia, of the town-campaign; for which as you are so admirably qualified by nature and inclination, I would fain have you as com pletely armed, and as amply provided. I much approve, therefore, of your diligence in furnishing your magazines with large stores of ammunition of all sorts for conversation, from authors of various kinds; among which, as your victories will give occasion to many rejoicings, I hope you will not fail to provide a good quantity of French squibs and crackers; you had, if you have not wasted it, a sufficient store of wild-fire of your own. I approve likewise, of your taking a walk now and

then with Milton in his Paradise, it is a fine resource now you are at such a distance from Kensington Gardens, and may serve to amuse your taste for natural philosophy, by presenting you with some exotics, both plants and flowers. As to Virgil's Elysium, though I own there is a great deal of good company to be met with in his fortunate groves and myrtle woods; yet I must take the liberty to caution you against what he calls his Lugentes Campi, the air of which seems to have a melancholy effect, though it is often not felt immediately at the first entrance. You have indeed set melancholy at defiance; but have a care, she is a subtle foe, and generally attacks by stealth and at unawares. The Campi Lugentes, though they make part of Elysium, make, at the same time, a part of her territories. And now, as I perceive you are in a right way, I shall add no more but my wishes, that you may proceed happily in your course, and arrive in due time full of health, and spirits, and alacrity, at that other Paradise described by Milton, under

the fictitious and opprobrious name, of the Limbo of Vanity, to which all choice. spirits, especially of the fair sex, direct their coaches and post-chaises, with the utmost impatience, to find their jewels, their hoops, their pompons, &c. and all the various pleasures, which were lost to them during their residence in earth, in that dull clod, the country.

We set out next Thursday for Tunbridge. Lady Cobham and Harriet come here to-morrow, that we may travel together, and dine with Lady Lambert in our way. I hope to meet at Tunbridge a novelty, which I think I never met there but once, viz. a letter from you. Though, to say truth, I had much rather meet you there in person, for it is the oddness of my temper, to love to see an old friend, better than a new acquaintance. Pardon me, Madam, for declaring so unfashionable a taste, to so polite a lady. But you are now in the country, and at leisure to admit and entertain your friends, the chief of whom (I say the chief, for conscious honesty is sometimes proud,) professes to be, with

an unpolite sincerity, but with the polite addition of, with the utmost respect,

THOUGH good wishes from under a lawn handkerchief, may not be so beneficial as benedictions laid on your head by lawn sleeves, yet as my zeal for your health is equal to that of the best of Archbishops, I will send you my most earnest wishes, that the Tunbridge waters may do you all imaginable service. If I were to tell you I cannot hear of your being at Tunbridge without wishing myself there, such is your disposition to believe me fond of crouds and assemblies; you would think

I disguised my desire, to be at the rooms and walks, sous le nom d'amitié, but com→ ment on my text as you please, when I hear you are at Tunbridge, I shall wish to be there. Pray tell me who has the white. stone-house, where the rites of hospitality and all the sweet civilities of life, were so nobly performed by Mr. Pitt. I shall be sorry to hear it is prophaned by the resi dence of some tallow-chandler, brazier, or pewterer, or some man of quality, who, compared to Mr. Pitt, may be brass or pewter, or metal of base alloy. I am diverted to see you think me equally unreasonable, whether I amuse myself in society or solitude; you do not find in me that spirit of repining and dislike, which is the fashionable livery of extraordinary merit. I know that persons of delicacy can be pleased only with some particular system of life; for my own part, I have endeavoured always to move easily and chearfully on the sphere I am placed in. There are few situations that do not allow of some pleasures, and I am always ready to take such as offer, though they may