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should very much apprehend the effects which solitude might have produced, joined with the regret which I know you feel for my absence. Take it for granted, that I sigh extremely. I would have written to the Alcayde, but that would make me regret that I was at a distance from her, which is pain I cannot bear. I would have written to your mother, but that I have changed my religion twice since I left England, and am at present so unsettled, that I think it fit to fix, before I endeavour to convert her to my opinion, which I design to do as soon as I know what it is. I have discoursed with friars and monks of all orders—with zealots, enthusiasts, and all sectaries of the reformed churches, and I had the benefit to travel twelve leagues together in Guelderland with a mad fanatic, in a waggon, who preached to me all the way things not to be written. Pray take care that Mr. Ebbut has good wine, for I have much to say to you over a bottle under ground; and I hope, within three weeks, to satisfy you, that no man in the face of the earth, or in the cellar, is more, dear neighbour, your faithful and affectionate humble servant, than

W. CONGREVE.

WILLIAM CONGREVE TO MR. PORTER.

August 21.

SIR, I AM forced to borrow lady's paper, but I think it will contain all that I can well tell you from this place, which is so much out of the world, that nothing but the last great news could have

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Theseus still loved, and follow'd still his friend,
Whilst great Alcides upon earth remain'd:
But when the hero was to heaven received,
Most the youth wanted him, yet least he grieved,
Pleased that the friend was in the God improved,
He learn❜d to worship what before he loved.

Really, master, I am mightily satisfied to see you in the place where you are; as I should have been to have bawled out a Montagu in Tuttle Fields, and to have kept my aunt tight to your interests, who, I think, does not heartily forgive you, or Worseley's Mares, for breaking her windows in former days.

They say you are to be made a Scotch earl ;— an English duke, with all my soul!

All this time I am fluttering about Paris in a gilt chariot, with three footmen in gay coats; so far it goes well: but the galloon maker, the tailor, the harness maker, the coachman, begin to grow very troublesome, &c. for I could write a quire upon this subject. Confess, however, my dear master, that greatness is very barren, and the glories of this world very empty, if Mr. Montagu in all his honours cannot help his friend Matt to five hundred pounds on this occasion.

I have written to Lord Portland and Mr. Secretary Vernon long politic letters, of the preparations these people make, in case the king of Spain should die; and in all probability that sickly monarch will not linger out much more than this autumn. I wish the business of Schonenberg were made up, and that we had any body that might speak to them at Madrid. The

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my four pounds a day settled, and could but get something of my arrears paid, or some money advanced, I should be out of the hands of harpies, who make me pay so very deep for ready money, and in a way of being beforehand with my business, so as to get two thousand pounds beforehand. I have written you a rare rhapsody of a letter; pardon it, my dear master, and write one word to me, three lines only, believing me to be, with the greatest truth and respect, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

M. PRIOR.

MATTHEW PRIOR TO THE EARL OF HALIFAX. MY LORD, Paris, the 23-12 Oct. 1714. THE answering my last letter is a point referable only to your own goodness. Friendship can no more be forced than love; and those persons sometimes are the objects of both our indulgences in this kind, who may best have deserved our favour. I have, however, the satisfaction to believe, that you think me an honest man, and an Englishman. For my having acted as the queen's orders given me by her ministers enjoined, my dispatches sent to the court of England, the copies of my letters here, (I may add) the testimony of the duke of Shrewsbury, and all I have had to do with, and my own mens conscia recti, will abundantly justify me. For the pride of my mind, pass; there may be some defects and faults in it on that side: but for the integrity of it, and as to any underhand doings, before

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