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pletion of the Work: which I wish were now your only answer to any of them: except you will make ufe of that fhort and excellent one you gave me in the story of the reading-glafs.

The world here grows very bufy. About what time is it you think of being amongst us? My health, I fear, will confine me, whether in town or here, fo that I may expect more your company as one good refulting out of

of

evil.

I write, you know, very laconically. I have but one formula which fays every thing to a friend, "I I am yours, and beg you to continue "mine." Let me not be ignorant (you can prevent my being fo of any thing, but first and principally) of your health and well being; and depend on my fenfe of all the Kindness over and above all the Justice you fhall ever do

me.

I never read a thing with more pleasure than an additional sheet to a Jervas's preface to Don Quixote. Before I got over two paragraphs I cried out, Aut Erafmus aut Diabolus! I knew you as certainly as the ancients did the Gods by the first pace and the very gait. I have not a moment to exprefs myfelf in, but could not omit this which delighted me fo greatly.

On the origine of the books of Chivalry.

My

My Law-fuit with L. is at an end.--Adieu! Believe no man can be more yours. Call me title you will but a Doctor of Oxford; Sit tibi cura mei, fit tibi cura tu

by any

LETTER CXIV.

Jan. 18, 1742.

Am forced to grow every day more laconic

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in my letters, for my eyefight grows every day fhorter and dimmer. Forgive me then that I answer you fummarily. I can even less bear an equal part in a correspondence than in a converfation with you. But be affured once for all, the more I read of you, as the more I hear from you, the better I am inftructed and pleased. And this misfortune of my own dulnefs, and my own abfence, only quickens my ardent wish that fome good fortune would draw you nearer, and enable me to enjoy both, for a greater part of our lives in this neighbourhood; and in fuch a fituation, as might make more beneficial friends, than I, efteem and enjoy you equally. I have again heard from Lord * * and another hand, that the Lord a I writ to you of, declares an intention to ferve you. My anfwer (which they related to him) was, that

VOL. IX.

a Granville.

A a

he

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he would be fure of your acquaintance for life if once he served, or obliged you; but that, I was certain, you would never trouble him with your expectation, tho' he would never get rid of your gratitude. Dear Sir, adieu, and let me be fometimes certified of your health. My own is as ufual; and my affection the fame, always yours.

I

LETTER CXV.

Twitenham, March 24, 1743.

Write to you amongst the very few I now defire to have my Friends, merely, Si valeas, valeo. "Tis in effect all I fay: but it is very literally true, for I place all that makes my life defirable in their welfare. I may truly affirm, that vanity or intereft have not the least share in any friendship I have; or caufe me now to cultivate that of any one man by any one letter. But if any motive fhould draw me to flatter a great man, it would be to fave the friend I would have him ferve from doing it. Rather than lay a deferving perfon under the neceffity of it, I would hazard my own character and keep his indignity. Tho' in truth, I live in a time when no measures of conduct influence the fuccefs of one's applications, and the best thing to truft to is chance and opportunity..

1

I only mean to tell you, I am wholly yours, how few words fo ever I make of it---A greater pleasure to me is, that I chanced to make Mr. Allen fo, who is not only worth more thanintrinsically; but, I forefee, will be effectually more a comfort and glory to you every year you live. My confidence in any man less truly great than an honeft one is but small.

I have lived much by myself of late, partly thro' ill health, and partly to amufe myself with little improvements in my garden and house, to which poffibly I fhall (if I live) be foon more confined. When the Dunciad may be published I know not. I am more defirous of carrying on the best, that is your edition of the rest of the Epiftles and Effay on Criticism, &c. I know it is there I fhall be feen moft to advantage. But I infift on one condition, that you never think of this when you can employ yourself in finishing that noble work of the Divine Legation (which is what, above all, iterum iterumque monebo a) or any other useful fcheme of your own. It would be a fatisfaction to me at present only to hear that you have

Either his friendship for | the Editor, or his love of Religion, made him have this very much at heart; and almoft the last words he faid to the Editor as he was dy

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ing, was the conjuring him

finish the laft Volume; which, indignation, as he fuppofed, at the fcurrilities. of a number of nameless fcriblers, had retarded.

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fupported your health among these epidemical

diforders, which, tho' not mortal to any of my friends, have afflicted almoft every one.

I

LETTER CXVI.

June 5.

Wish that instead of writing to you once in two months, I could do you some service as often; for I am arrived to an age when I am as fparing of words as most old men are of mo¬ ney, though I daily find less occafion for any. But I live in a time when benefits are not in the power of an honest man to bestow; nor indeed of an honeft man to receive, confidering on what terms they are generally to be had. It is certain you have a full right to any I could do you, who not only monthly, but weekly of late, have loaded me with favours of that kind, which are most acceptable to veteran Authors; thofe garlands which a Commentator weaves to hang about his Poet, and which are flowers both of his own gathering and and painting too; not bloffoms fpringing from the dry Author.

It is very unreasonable after this, to give you a fecond trouble in revifing the Efay on Homer.

a The Editor did revife and correct it as it now fstands in the last edition.

But

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