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of Sir Robert Howard's, written long since, and lately put by him into my hands: 'tis called THE CONQUEST OF CHINA BY THE TARTARS. It will cost me six weeks' study, with the probable benefit of an hundred pounds. In the mean time I am writing a Song for St. Cecilia's Feast, who, you know, is the patroness of musick. This is troublesome, and no way beneficial; but I could not deny the Stewards of the Feast, who came in a body to me to desire that kindness, one of them being Mr. Bridgman, whose parents are your mother's friends. I hope to send you thirty guineas between Michaelmass and Christmass, of which I will give you an account when I come to town. I remember the counsel you give me in your letter; but dissembling, though lawful in some cases, is not my talent; yet, for your sake, I will struggle with the plain openness of my nature, and keep-in my just resentments against that

"To make the parallel hold tack,
"Methinks there 's little lacking;
"One took his father pick-a-pack,

"And t'other sent his packing."

The disagreeable repetition of the word old in the third line might have been easily avoided, by substituting the word great; but the writer's principles would not allow him to give William this epithet.-In fact, neither he nor Tonson was old at the period alluded to; though some years afterwards (when these lines were probably written,) the latter was so called, to distinguish him from his nephew, the younger Jacob Tonson.

degenerate order. In the mean time, I flatter not my self with any manner of hopes, but do my duty, and suffer for God's sake; being assured, beforehand, never to be rewarded, though the times should alter.-Towards the latter end of this month, September, Charles will begin to recover his perfect health, according to his Nativity, which, casting it my self, I am sure is true; and all things hitherto have happened accordingly to the very time that I predicted them: I hope at the same time to recover more health, according to my age. Remember me to poor Harry, whose prayers I earnestly desire. My Virgil succeeds in the world beyond its desert or my expectation. You know, the profits might have been more; but neither my conscience nor my honour would suffer me to take them: but I never can repent of my constancy, since I am thoroughly persuaded of the justice of the cause for which I suffer. It has pleased GOD to raise up many friends to me amongst my enemies, though they who ought to have been my friends are negligent of me. I am called to dinner, and cannot go on with this letter, which I desire you to excuse; and am Your most affectionate father,

JOHN DRYDEN.

9 This probably alludes to the proposition which appears to have been made to him, concerning the dedication of his Virgil to King William; for which a valuable pecuniary reward might have been expected.

Superscribed,

Al Illustrissimo Sigre.
Carlo Dryden,

Camariere d'Honore A. S. S.
In Roma.

Franca per

Mantoua.

To this Letter Lady Elizabeth Dryden subjoined, on the same paper, the following Postscript:

My dear sons, I sent your Letter emediately to your father, after I had read it, as you will find by his. I have not room to say much, having writ former Letters to you, datted the 27 of August, your father being then out of Town: he writes me word he is much at woon as to his health, and his defnese is not wosce, but much as he was when he was heare. He expresses a great desire to see my dear Charlles and trully I see noe reason why you should not both come together, to be a comfort to woon another and to us both, if the King of France includ Ingland in the doe but Gust make shift to live peace ;' for you wheare you are, and soe I hope you may doe heare; for I will Leaf noe] Ston unturn'd to help my belov'd sonns. If I cane, I will send this Letter by the same way it came; that is, it was brought me from woon Mr. Galowway, who corresponds with Roszie; I payd woon and Sixpence

The Peace of Ryswick, which was proclaimed at London, in the following month, October 19, 1697, O. S. * She means, I suppose, by the same way her son's letter came to her.

for it, and do offer to pay him what he demandes, so that he would take ceare the [packet] might come safe to your handes. I long tell I heare my deare Charlles is better. I have only room to tell you the names of the Merchantes your parcell went in: you are to demmand them of Mr. Robert Ball and Thommas Ball in Lindovino in Livorno. You are not to pay any charges for the Box, for the Port of London; if the have demanded any of you, send word to me what it is; for otherwayes wee shall pay twice for them; and this Mr. Walkeson telles me, with his service to you both. Farwell, my deare children: GOD Almighty keep you in his protection, for that is the wishes and prayers of your most affec: Mother, that sends her blessinge to you all; not forgetting my Sonn Harry, whose prayers I defire* for a Comfortable Meetinge. I hope I may have some better thinges against you come, than what is sent you in that box; there being nothing Considurabell but my deare Jackes play, who I desire in his next to me to give me a true account how my deare Sonn Charlles is head dus; for I cane be at noe rest tell I heare he is better, or rather thourely well, which I dally pray for.

* His father had also particularly desired his son Harry's prayers. Perhaps he was at this time intended. for holy orders, though he afterwards became an officer in the Pope's Guards. See vol. i. part i. p. 426.

The education of ladies was in general so much neglected in the last age, that Lady Elizabeth Dryden's orthography, however strange, was not singular. A former letter, however, written by her to Dr. Busby, of which I

LETTER XXII.

TO MR. JACOB TONSON.

MR. TONSON,

[f. Dec. 1697.]

I THANK you heartily for the sherry; it was as you sayd, the best of the kind I ever dranke. I have found the catalogue you desire, of the Subscribers' names, you left with me; and have sent them to you inclosed. Remember in the copy of verses for St. Cecilia, to alter the name of Lais, which is twice there, for Thais: those two ladyes were contemporaryes, which causd that small mistake. I wish you coud tell me how to send my sonns our Virgil, which you gave me; and should be glad if you coud put me in a way of remitting thirty guineas to Rome; which I woud pay heer, for my sonns to have the vallue there, according as the exchange goes. Any time this fortnight will be soon enough to send the money: the book I know will require a longer space, because ships go not for Italy every day.

I am

Your humble Servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.

I hear, Tom Brown is comeing out vpon me.

have seen the original, is not disfigured by the odd spelling which we find here; but that Letter was probably corrected by our author: when this was written, he was in the country.

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