disagree with me, nor have I been ill since I came, in any violent degree. My spirits are not in the best order, which you will not wonder at when I tell you my brother Tom has a milliary fever; Dr. Wilmot does not perceive any danger at present, but cannot pronounce him safe till the fever leaves him; but by this post my brother Morris says Dr. Wilmot thinks the fever is rather abated. You will expect I should give you some account of the place, but I would fain defer it till I am in better humour; at present it appears to me very disagreeable. Here are many whom I know, but few whom I like; the rooms are very full of noise and whisk; as to the balls I cannot give any account of them, as they did not continue in the Christmas week. I wish Lady Sunderland and Miss Sutton may come here. We have here Miss Chudleigh, and a very pretty daughter of Lord Chief Justice; but they are ill provided with beaus, so that it is scarce worth their while to be so handsome.

• Willes.

When I have more spirits you shall hear further from me; at present I am very stupid.

I am dear Mrs. Donnellan's

very affectionate friend and servant,

E. MONTAGU.

To the Same.

January, 1748.

I am sure so good and tender a friend will suffer for me in my present heavy affliction; and I cannot excuse myself if I do not remove your uneasiness, as much as I can, by telling you I bear it as well as can be expected. It is impossible not to feel under such a grievous circumstance; but I am composed and quiet, more than you would imagine. My poor brother's virtues and capacity gave me the fairest hopes of seeing him enjoy life with great advantages; a fatal

noment has destroyed those hopes, but t must be length of time that can make ne submit to the cruel disappointment; he was an honour and happiness to us all, and I never thought of him without pleasure. Alas! how is it changed! But it is our duty to bear these things; and I have of late had too much acquaintance with affliction, and with the loss of those I loved. As to this good young man, I hoped it would have rather been his business to have grieved for me, so uncertain is health and strength. I will say no more at present. Adieu. My sister is as well as can be hoped. Mr. Montagu is most careful of us, and I cannot, amidst my sorrow, help thanking Heaven for so kind a friend.

I am ever your's,

E. MONTAGU.

Mr. Thomas Robinson, her second brother, died of the effects of a cold caught by being overheated in pleading before the House of Commons. He was a young man so promising in his profession, that Lee, then Chief Justice of the King's Bench, exclaimed " We have lost the man in England for a point of law!" His

To the Same.

DEAR MADAM,

Bath, March 14th, 1748.

I AM Sorry to find you have not yet recovered your spirits; but we, of nervous constitutions, are like ships that carry too much sail, we are driven too fast and too far by every gale; and cannot so easily tack about, and fall in with every incident, as those whose spirits are not so violently borne away; which are of the happiest disposition, will bear many an ingenious argument, but never any absolute decision; but could we know what was best to choose it would little avail, where there is no liberty to choose at all. But I

treatise on Gavelkind still continues to be the standard book on that subject. In sprightliness of wit, and fertility of invention, he much resembled his sister; his memory was stored with classical literature, his taste and judgment were so refined, and so accurate, as to have left on Mrs. Montagu's recollection an indelible impression of admiration, and a regret which no subsequent acquisition in friendship could sufficiently compensate.

am sure we owe one thing to ourselves, which is, to cultivate cheerfulness by all objects and things in our power, and to call every innocent amusement to our aid, to converse with those we love, read such books as we like, and take such pleasures as are proper. Weeds spring without care and cultivation, but fruits and aromatics must be planted and engrafted; pain and pleasure are in the moral world as the others in the natural ; evil comes unsought, but happiness must be courted. How often do I wish myself provided with wings to take a flight and perch on your chimney corner! I am very sorry poor Mr. Percival has alarmed you so often; if he does not suffer from the bad weather now I shall have great hopes of him. I find myself every day growing better; I bathed twice; and, contrary to what it used to do, it raised my spirits and made me feel a greater degree of chearfulness than I have done since I came to Bath; indeed I want mechanic helps, for my real happiness, God knows, is lessened; and though I