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him otherwise in, and, in spite of his frugality, his fortune, I believe, grows worse and worse every day. I have told you before, that he is the dirtiest creature in the world, so much so, that it is quite disagreeable to sit near him at table he makes one suit of clothes serve him at least two years, and as to his great coat, it has been transmitted down I believe from generation to generation ever since Noah. On Sunday he was quite a beau. The bishop of Gloucester is his idol, and (if Mr. Willis were Pope St. Martin, as he calls him) would not wait a minute for canonization. To honour last Sunday as it deserved, after having run about all the morning to all the St. George's churches whose difference of hours permitted him, he came to dine with us, in a tie wig, that exceeds indeed all description. It is a wig (the very colour of it is inexpressible) that he has had, he says, these nine years, and of late it has lain by at his barber's, never to be put on but once a year, in honour of the bishop of Gloucester's birth-day. Indeed, in this birth-day tie wig he looked so like the Father in the farce Mrs. Secker was so diverted with, that I wished a thousand times for the invention of Scapin, and I would have made no scruple of assuming the character for our diversion.

And now, farewell, my pen! In gratitude for the assistance thou hast given me, towards making a tedious time seem shorter, towards defeating the malice of a tedious absence, otherwise little interrupted, and preserving me a place in those memories where it is best worth preserving, here

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will I tie thee to my desk, to rest from all thy labours, when thou hast crowned them with assuring my dear Miss Campbell how sincerely I am always her's,

C. TALBOT.

MR. LYTTLETON TO LORD BOLINGBROKE.

London, July 30th, 1740.

MY LORD, It is no small addition to the grief I feel for the loss of Sir William Wyndham, that I know it must be an inconsolable one to your lordship, and that it comes upon you when your spirit has been weakened by a great fit of illness, as I hear from Mr. Pope, whom I saw yesterday at my return out of Worcestershire. Indeed you will have need of all your philosophy to support such a blow, which falls as heavy upon the public as it does upon you; so that you have the affliction of your country to bear as well as your own. Nor do I see any comfort to either, but resignation to Providence; for the loss is irreparable.

Besides his abilities and integrity, there were some peculiar circumstances in Sir William Wyndham's situation, which made him of the utmost importance to his country in the present conjuncture. He was the centre of union to the honest men of all parties. His credit in parliament was the only check to the corrupt part of the Whig opposition, and his influence with the Tories the only means of keeping that party in any system of rational measures. Now he is gone, those

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who look towards the court will pursue their schemes with little or no difficulty, without any regard to the coalition, or any rational reformation of government, but rather to build a new fabric on Sir Robert's name and rotten foundation; and it is much to be feared that resentment, despair, and their inability of conducting themselves, may drive the Tories back into their old prejudices, heat, and extravagance. That this is too likely to happen, I dare say, your lordship feels and laments. What alone could prevent it, is, I doubt, not likely to happen, viz. that the prince should have credit enough with the best part of the Tories; with that part, I mean, which was under the influence of Sir William Wyndham, to keep them united under him with the uncorrupt part of the Whigs, and that the views of this coalition should be steadily, vigilantly, and warmly pursued.

This, my lord, might yet preserve us from impending destruction; but if, even with the mediation of Sir William Wyndham, this could not be effected; if, even with him at our head, we were inactive, careless, and ready to break asunder every day, what hope is there now of greater activity, greater confidence, or union in our proceedings? Who shall take the lead in the house of commons? Who has authority enough there to defeat the perfidy of some, and to spirit up the languor of others, to direct our measures, and to give them weight and order and dignity?

To say the truth, after losing, in one year, Lord Polworth and Sir William Wyndham, to hope to resist the fall of this nation is a sort of presumption. But though to hope may be folly;

to contend, I am sure, is a duty; and upon that principle, some, I suppose, will, under any discouragements. From the despondence I feel about the public, my heart is, I think, more taken up with the sentiments of private affection and concern for my friends. This makes me very impatient to hear from your lordship, that I may be assured of your health, which I am afraid may be too much affected by this unhappy event; and it will be the greatest consolation to me under the loss of a friend I shall always regret, to find that you continue your kindness to, my lord, your lordship's most obliged, humble servant,

G. LYTTELTON.

I put this into the hands of Mr. Brinsden, until he can find a safe opportunity of delivering it to you.

DR. HAWKESWORTH TO A YOUNG LADY.

DEAR MISS, Bromley, Kent, 14th Dec. 1748. You are now going, from the company, the conversation, and amusements of children, into a scene of life which affords more rational pleasures, and will engage you in more important pursuits the world is opening before you, a wilderness in which many have been lost; and in which, among a thousand broad ways, there is but one narrow path that leads to happiness and honour. If this path is missed at setting out, it is very difficult to recover it; it is therefore of great consequence to be directed into it at first; and though I hope you will be long under the

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