our works and our weaknesses. That was the

whole end of the last Vol. of Mifcellanies, without which our former declaration in that preface, "That these volumes contained all that " we have ever offended in that way," would have been difcredited. It went indeed to my heart, to omit what you called the Libel on Dr. D----, and the best Panegyric on myself, that either my own times or any other could have afforded, or will ever afford to me. The book, as you observe, was printed in great haste; the cause whereof was, that the booksellers here were doing the fame, in collecting your pieces, the corn with the chaff; I don't mean that any thing of yours is chaff, but with other wit of Ireland which was so, and the whole in your name. I meant principally to oblige them to feparate what you writ feriously from what you writ carelessly; and thought my own weeds might pass for a fort of wild flowers, when bundled up with them.

It was I that fent you those books into Ireland, and so I did my Epistle to Lord Bathurst even before it was publish'd, and another thing of mine, which is a Parody from Horace, writ in two mornings. I never took more care in my life of any thing than of the former of these, nor less than of the latter: yet every

friend has forced me to print it, tho' in truth my own fingle motive was about twenty lines towards the latter end, which you will find

out.

I have declined opening to you by letters the whole scheme of my present Work, expecting ftill to do it in a better manner in perfon: but you will fee pretty foon, that the letter to Lord Bathurst is a part of it, and you will find a plain connexion between them, if you read them in the order just contrary to that they were publish'd in. I imitate those cunning tradesmen, who show their best filks last; or (to give you a truer idea, tho' it founds too proudly) my works will in one respect be like the works of Nature, much more to be liked and understood when consider'd in the relation they bear with each other, than when ignorantly look'd upon one by one; and often, those parts which attract most at first fight, will appear to be not the most, but the least confiderable '.

I am pleas'd and flatter'd by your expreffion of.Orna me. The chief pleasure this work can give me is, that I can in it, with propriety, decency, and justice, infert the name and character of every friend I have, and every man that deferves to be lov'd or adorn'd. But I smile

6 See the first note on the the Knowledge and Characters 1. Epiftle to Lord Cobham, Of of men.

at

at your applying that phrase to my visiting you in Ireland; a place where I might have fome apprehenfion (from their extraordinary paffion for Poetry, and their boundless Hospitality) of being adorned to death, and buried under the weight of garlands, like one I have read of fomewhere or other. My Mother lives (which is an answer to that point) and, I thank God, tho her memory be in a manner gone, is yet awake and fenfible to me, tho scarce to any thing elfe; which doubles the reason of my attendance, and at the same time sweetens it. I wish (beyond any other wish) you could pass a fummer here; I might (too probably) return with you, unless you preferr'd to fee France first, to which country, I think, you would have a strong invitation. Lord Peterborow has narrowly efcaped death, and yet keeps his chamber: he is perpetually speaking in the most affectionate manner of you: he has written you two letters, which you never received, and by that has been discouraged from writing more. well believe the post-office may do this, when fome letters of his to me have met the same fate, and two of mine to him. Yet let not this discourage you from writing to me, or to him, inclos'd in the common way, as I do to you: Innocent men need fear no detection of their thoughts; and for my part, I wou'd give 'em free

I can

,

free leave to send all I write to Curll, if most of what I write was not too filly.

I defire my fincere services to Dr. Delany, who, I agree with you, is a man every way esteemable: my Lord Orrery is a most virtuous and good-natur'd Nobleman, whom I should be happy to know. Lord B. received your letter thro' my hands; it is not to be told you how much he wishes for you: The whole lift of persons, to whom you fent your services, return you theirs, with proper sense of the distinction---Your Lady friend is Semper Eadem, and I have written an Epistle to her on that qualification in a female character; which is thought by my chief Critic in your absence to be my Chef d'Oeuvre: but it cannot be printed perfectly, in an age so fore of Satire, and fo wil ling to mifapply Characters.ds"

As to my own health; it is as good as usual, I have lain ill seven days of a flight fever (the complaint here) but recover'd by gentle sweats, and the care of Dr. Arbuthnot. The play Mr. Gay left fucceeds very well; it is another ori ginal in its kind. Adieu. God preferve your life, your health, your limbs, your fpirits, and your friendshipsd gu

:

LETTER LXV.

April 2, 1733.

TOU say truly, that death is only terrible to

YOU

1

us as it separates us from those we love, but I really think those have the worst of it who are left by us, if we are true friends. I have felt more (I fancy) in the lofs of Mr. Gay, than I shall fuffer in the thought of going away myself into a state that can feel none of this fort of loffes. I wish'd vehemently to have seen him in a condition of living independent, and to have lived in perfect indolence the reft of our days together, the two most idle, most innocent, undesigning Poets of our age. I now as vehemently with you and I might walk into the grave together, by as flow steps as you please, but contentedly and chearfully: Whether that ever can be, or in what country, I know no more, than into what country we shall walk out of the grave, But it fuffices me to know it will be exactly what region or state our Maker appoints, and that whatever Is, is Right. Our poor friend's papers are partly in my hands, and for as much as is so, I will take care to fupprefs things unworthy of him. As to the Epitaph, I'm forry you gave a copy, for

it