LETTER XVIII.

To Mr

Tunbridge,

I

THINK I promised you a letter from this place; yet I have nothing more material to write than that I gat fafe thither. Το any other man I fhould make an apology for troubling you with an information fo trivial; but among true friends there is nothing indifferent; and what would feem of no confequence to others, has, in intercourses of this nature, its weight and value. A byftander, unacquainted with play, may fancy, perhaps, that the counters are of no more worth than they appear; but those who are engaged in the game, know they are to be confidered at a higher rate. You fee I draw my allufions from the scene before me. A propriety which the critics, I think, upon fome occafions, recommend. I have often wondered what odd whim could first induce the healthy to follow the fick into places of this fort, and lay the fcene of their diverfions amidst the moft wretched part of our fpecies. One fhould imagine an hofpital the laft fpot in the world to which thofe in purfuit of pleafure would think of reforting. However, fo it is; and by this means the company here furnish out a tragi-comedy of the most fingular kind. While fome are literally dying, others are expiring in metaphor; and in one fcene you are prefented with the real, and in another with the fantastical pains of mankind. An ignorant fpectator might be apt to fufpect that each part was endeavouring to qualify itfelf for acting in the oppofite character; for the infirm cannot labour more earnestly to recover the ftrength they have loft, than the robuft to destroy that which they poffefs. Thus the diseased pass not more anxious nights in their beds, than the healthy at the hazard-tables; and I frequently fee a game at quadrille occafion as fevere difquietudes as a fit of the gout. for myfelf, I perform, a fort of middle part in this motley drama, and am fometimes difpofed to join with the inva ids in envying the healthy, and fometimes have fpirits enough to mix with the gay in pitying the fplenetic.

As

The

The truth is, I have found fome benefit by the waters; but I fhall not be fo fanguine as to pronounce with certainty of their effects, till I fee how they enable me to pass through the approaching winter. That feafon, you know, is the time of trial with me; and if I get over the next with more ease than the laft, I fhall think myself obliged to celebrate the nymph of these springs in grateful fonnets.

But let time and feafons operate as they may, there is one part of me over which they will have no power; and, in all the changes of this uncertain conftitution, my heart will ever continue fixed and firmly yours.

I am, &c.

LETTER XIX.

From a young apprentice to his father, to let him know how he likes his place, and goes on.

I

Honoured Sir,

my

KNOW it will be a great fatisfaction to you, and dear mother, to hear that I go on very happily in my bufinefs; and my mafter, feeing my diligence, puts me forward, and encourages me in fuch a manner, that I have great delight in it; and hope I fhall anfwer, in time, your good wishes and expectations, and the indulgence you have always fhewn me. There is fuch good order in the family, as well on my mistress's part as my master's, that every fervant, as well as I, knows his duty, and does it with pleasure. So much evennefs, fedatenefs, and regularity, is obferved in all they enjoin or expect, that it is impoffible but it should be fo. My mafter is an honeft, worthy man; every body speaks well. of him. My miftrefs is a chearful, fweet-tempered woman, and rather heals breaches than widens them. And the children, after fuch examples, behave to us all like one's own brothers and fifters. Who can but love fuch a family? I wish, when it thall pleafe God to put me in fuch a station, that I may carry myfelf just as my mafler does; and if I should ever marry, have juft fuch a wife as my mistress:

miftrefs: and then, by God's bleffing, I shall be as hap py as they are, and as you, Sir, and my dear mother, have always been. If any thing can make me happier than I am, or continue me my prefent felicity, it will be the continuance of your's, and my good mother's prayers, for,

Honoured Sir,

Your ever dutiful fon.

LETTER XX.

From a daughter to her mother, by way of excufe, for having neglected to write to her.

Honoured Madam,

THO

HO' the agreeable news of your health and wel fare, which was brought me last night by the hands of my uncle's man Robin, gives me inexpreffible pleafure; yet I am very much concerned that my too long filence fhould have given you so much uneafinefs as I understand it has. I can affure you, Madam, that my neglect in that particular was noways owing to any want of filial duty or respect, but to a hurry of business, (if I may be allowed to call it fo,) occafioned by the honour of a vifit from my Lady Betty Brilliant, and her pretty niece Mifs Charlotte, who are exceeding good company, and whom our family are proud of entertaining in the most elegant manner. I am not infenfible, however, that neither this plea, nor any real bufinefs, of whatfoever importance, can justly acquit me for not writing oftener to a parent fo tender and indulgent as yourfelf: but, as the cafe now ftands, I know no other way of making atonement, than by a fincere promise of a more strict obfervance of my duty for the future. If therefore, Madam, you will favour me fo far as to forgive this first tranfgreffion, you may depend on my word, it fhall never more be repeated by, Honourable Madam,

Your most dutiful daughter.
LET.

LETTER XXI.

From Robin Redbreaft in the garden, to Mafier BILLY CARELESS, abroad at fchool.

Dear Mafter Billy,

A laft I law open,

S I was looking into your papa's library-window,

liam Careless, which led my curiofity to read it; but was forry to find there was not that duty and refpect in it which every good boy fhould fhew to his papa; and this I was the more furprised at, when I found it was to afk a favour of him. Give me leave, therefore, my dear Billy, to acquaint you, that no one should ever write to his papa, or mamma, without beginning his letter with Honoured Sir, or Honoured Madam; and, at the fame time, not forget to obferve, through his whole epistle, the most perfect obedience, in a very obliging, refpectful manner." By thefe means, you may not only increase your papa's affection, but obtain almoft any thing from him that you can reafonably afk, provided it be proper, and in his power to grant. What can any good boy defire more? But here you must permit me, dear Billy, to whistle an unpleafing, but very useful fong in your ear; which is, "That you will never get fo much as an anfwer to any letter that is not alfo wrote bandsome, fair, "and large; which, as I know you are very capable of, am furprised you will ever neglect it." And this you may depend on; for I know your papa extremely well, having frequently fat for hours at his ftudy-window, hearing him deliver his fentiments to your fifters, and advifing them, in the moft good-natured, affectionate manner, always to behave obedient to their parents, and pretty and agreeable to every body elfe, as well abroad as at home; and, I.muft fay it, his advice and commands, together with your mamma's care and inftruction, have had fo charming an effect, that they are beloved and admired wherever they go; and at home every fervant is extremely fond of them, and always ready to o

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blige and please them in every thing, which I fee daily, when I hop down into the court, to breakfaft on the crumbs from the kitchen. How eafy then is it for you, my dear Billy, who are fo much older and wifer than your fifters, to behave and write in the most dutiful and engaging manner. And, futher, let me advise you, never to lofe fight of the love and esteem of your mamma, to whom you are particularly obliged, for her conftant care to fupply your continual wants, which your papa, you are fenfible, has not leifure even to think of; befides, her good fenfe, and amiable conduct, have fo gained the afcendant of your papa, that he does nothing relating to any of you, without her confent and approbation; fo that in gaining her efteem, you are almoft certain of his but this you are very fenfible of already, and I only just chirp it in your ear, to remind you of good conduct, as well as filial duty. But the morning draws on, and my fellow-fongfters are abroad to whistle in the day; fo I must take my leave on the wing, and for the prefent, bid you farewell; but beg I may never haveoccafion again to write to you an unpleafing letter of rebuke, and that you will always remember, however diftant you are, or however fecret you may think yourself from your friends and relations, you will never be able to conceal your faults; for fome of our prying tattling tribe will be continually carrying them home, to be whistled, in a melancholy ftrain, in the ears of your pa pa, much to your fhame and difcredit, as well as his diflike, and my great concern, who am, dearest Billy, your ever watchful and most affectionate friend, - Robin Red-breaft.

From my hole, in the wall,
at fun-rifing, the 1st of

June, 1775.

P. S. However neglectful you may be of your duty, I know you have too much good fenfe, as well as good nàture, to take any thing amifs that I have faid in this letter, which is wrote with the freedom and concern of a friend, and to which I was prompted, both by love and gratitude, in return for the plenty of crumbs I have re