that a mind weakened and bowed by affliction seeks to support itself by the assistance of others; but in my happiest hours, and when the delusions of life (for I call the happiness of this world no better) were strongest upon me, I thought friendship had high and noble pleasures. I am pleased with what you say of my Dutchess; I think she is an honour to our sex, and a happiness to her friends. Every thing of this world is of a mortal nature, but I hope our friendship will not cease to exist till we do. What you say of the other person gives me concern; I really love her, but if I find by you that she does not deserve it, I will endeavour to withdraw my esteem; for a false friend, or even a slight one, is a dangerous thing True and faithful affection is a pearl hot to be cast before the profane. I wish you had hinted your reasons; but I will wait till I see you, and In the mean time my affection will be balanced between the loadstone of inclination to find her right, and the attraction of your opinion, which in those

things we have conversed upon has had such force of truth as to draw mine. What an abominable vice is hypocrisy! it often makes falsehood appear amiable, and teaches us to distrust truth; it has perhaps made me take this woman to be good, and may make me suspect some better person of hypocrisy. I have often observed that the generality of young people are madly credulous, and old ones injuriously suspicious, which arises in the first from indolence and rashness, in the latter it is the effect of timorousness, and of having been often deceived. The natural shocks that flesh is heir to, are so many, it is inexcusable in mankind to add to them by their ill treatment of each other. Happiness opens the heart to benevolence, affliction softens it for pity. Heaven grant that however my heart may be afflicted, it may never be corrupted! and as I should abhor deceit in myself, I would avoid it in others. I am fortunate in some friends, (and I hope you will know I reckon you as one of them) whose hearts I know full of inte

grity. I am sure you will think it must have been a great consolation to me to have discovered all those virtues in Mr. Montagu which adversity needs, and adversity only can shew. I never saw such resignation and fortitude in any one; and in the midst of affliction there is comfort in having such a friend and assistant. It was once my greatest happiness to see him in possession of the dearest of blessings; it is now my greatest comfort to see he knows how to resign it, and yet preserve the virtue and dignity of his temper. He went to London on Tuesday, about some business that required his immediate presence. If the Parliament sits early next month I shall go to town in a few days.

I

am,

dear Sir, &c. &c.

E. MONTAGU.

To the Rev. Mr. Freind.

DEAR SIR,

Dover-street, 1745.

I

I AM in doubt whether to thank you for your letter, or chide you for your departure; the first gave me much pleasure, the latter a great deal of regret. To shew you that while you are bounding your ambition to making your family happy, others have different views. will tell you what strange things are doing in our political world. My sister sent you word of the comedy at St. James's, and the exeunt omnes of our ministry, and all their adherents. An interlude was played by Lord Granville, and the famed Earl of Bath, Lord Carlisle, and Lord Winchelsea; but to act exactly according to the rules of criticism, their theatrical performance was confined to the space of twenty-four hours; at the expiration of that time they made their exit, and the Pelhams, and their followers, are again on the great stage. It seems the ministry

had discovered a scheme of Lord G-lle's, as soon as the supplies were raised, to carry the K- abroad, and turn all out of their places, and to bring in his own creatures and himself to manage affairs. As the Pelhams knew money was the hinge of government, and that by throwing things into confusion before this same powerful gold was obtained, they should ruin Lord G--'s schemes, they all resigned, declaring that while he was behind the curtain they could do nothing. Lord G took the seals, and was preparing to come forward, but Lord Bath's usual irresolution took him, and he withdrew his assistance. Without men there was no getting money, without money no getting men. The K- asked to see his Lordship's plan; but as he could not form a system, his Majesty had the prudence to desire those who had resigned their places to reassume them. Indeed it was an odd affair to see only two or three persons to fill all places and stations; it was the old blunder of the Kand two fiddlers solus. I shall end