thing new from Paris, but a novel of Crebillon's, which I am told is not very decent. Fred. Montagu studies the law with great application, and left the University of Cambridge with an extraordinary character. My brother Robinson is emulating the great Diogenes, and other budge doctors of the Stoic fur; he flies the delights of London, and leads a live of such privacy and seriousness as looks to the beholder like wisdom, but for my part, I think no life of inaction deserves that name. As mock sable, so is mock wisdom the darker of the two, and by that deceives the injudicious. My best compliments to Lady Bab. Fray take care of your health; mine continues surprisingly good, and I am grown so fat and so young, as surprises all my acquaintance. My brother Morris dined here on Saturday, he is very well, as is also our friend Charles. Miss Furnese is to be married to Mr. Dering in about a fortnight. Sir Edward is very happy in it. I wish my bad example as a correspondent may not influence you; it is always a great

pleasure to me to hear of my dear sister; may many happy years attend you. I am, my dear,

your most affectionate sister,

and sincere friend,

E. MONTAGU.

To Gilbert West, Esq.

June the 26th, 1755.

I KNOW not any thing that can so agreeably enliven my leisure, as a letter from my dear Cousin, nor any thing that would so much disturb my tranquillity, as alarms for his health. From peace and leisure, the third blessing, health, is to arise, so by writing to me often, you may help to effect your good wishes. You bid me not regret your not seeing me in London on the Monday, the time is past, the opportunity lost, and therefore wisdom and you, say very well I should not waste time in vain regret; but friendship and I say,

that a meeting for friends that are to be so long asunder, is not so slightly passed over, and that I cannot help regretting, that these hours were not spent with you, though they are now as much lost in the vast ocean of eternity, as those the antidiluvians spent with their cousins; but the inemory has its treasury, and so tenacious is its nature, it can fix the fleeting moments, or recal them at pleasure. I am rejoiced to hear that health sits down to dinner with you every day; while she is your attendant, I shall think her my friend, whether she visits me or not, indeed she has been very good to me ever since I came hither; I have made her lady of my bed-chamber, and she calls me up before seven, and puts me to bed at eleven. I wonder at your good Admiral, who could not sleep in a quiet house; I have known many people who could not keep awake in one; but I assure you I preserve all my vivacity and good spirits, though I am deep embosomed in tranquillity. Mr. Montagu has been studiously disposed ever since we came to

Sandleford, so that I pass seven or eight hours every day entirely alone. Five months are to pass, before I return to the land of the living, but I can amuse myself in the regions of the dead: if it rains so that I cannot walk in the garden, Virgil will carry me into the Elysian fields, or Milton into Paradise. Writers of more sacred inspiration offer a nobler prospect, and when every animal is chearfully running its little circle, shall that called rational, to whom only it is given to look back to remote ages, and forward to future existence, who has the resources of recollection and expectation, be discontented and ill-humoured? How many powers must we neglect! how many mercies must we forget, before we fall into melancholy! hence, loathed melancholy! I will have none of it. I hear that the Squire of Dames has at last found a Florimel worthy of the matrimonial vows; I wish him all happiness; he has delicacy enough to make him very happy or very miserable, and restlessness enough to be very uneasy in a state too insipid to allow

of neither; if Miss Scudamore (for that is her name,) has as many amiable quali ties as our friend, they may be extremely happy. I could not hear any thing par ticular concerning her character or fortune, but only that she had been handsome, and it was on both sides a marriage of inclination.

I am, &c. &c.

ELIZ. MONTAGU,

To Mrs. Montagu, from Gilbert West, Esq.

Wickham, 1st of July, 1755.

My dearest Cousin,

I HAD begun a letter to you yesterday, but was hindered from proceeding in it, by a visit from the Archbishop, who came to bless our expedition to Tunbridge; for the good wishes of a good man, are to be considered as benedictory prayers. I rejoice to learn that you enjoy so truly the blessings of the country, health, peace,