them as to my own personal character and merit, that may deserve such a delightful fate: I profess nothing at all, but that I should acknowledge her charms, and love her as I ought; for, to talk gravely, which perhaps is something more than I should venture to do upon such an occasion; when I consider my person, my fortune, my temper, and my profession, I am ready to imagine I was cut out for a violent lover, but not for a husband. Nothing but a very agreeable woman will do; and the question is, whether she may not expect a very agreeable man! and I profess this is a very considerable affliction. I own it to you, madam, as my best mamma, that I am ready to imagine that love is interwoven in my constitution; and though my relations at Bethnal Green have a very large share in my affection, yet one of the most spacious rooms of my heart is empty; and it was therefore, madam, that I preferred myself to you to get me a tenant. For really, madam, I am convinced that when your humble servant happens to be in love—which, in the course of nature, must be pretty quickly, for he is almost twenty-he will make but a ridiculous figure at best; and consequently I put you upon getting me a mistress in or near London; not only because I know she will be well selected, but because, being at a considerable distance, she will not be in so much danger of proving a hinderance to my studies, which, shall I say, next to a lady, lie nearest my heart. Besides, madam, you are sensible it will secure me against any temptation I may happen to be exposed to here.

But you will tell me that I am in no danger, because we have no ladies at Kibworth. That is true, mamma. But, in order to set the matter in a clearer light, I must tell you that wonderful piece of news about the butterflies, which you are so impatient to hear. Now I know I might be so impertinent as to introduce it with a formal preface, but as that would only keep you in suspense, I will tell you the business in two words. Mr. Jennings is going to remove from Kibworth to Hinckley, which is one of the largest market towns in the county; and there I may probably meet with some pretty girls, that, if I am not prepossessed, may do me a mischief. It is therefore that I am so urgent to be immediately provided for. But, madam, I leave it entirely in your breast, and must only add, to prevent mistakes, that though I am in so much haste for a mistress, I can stay seven years for a wife.

I am sorry you were led into such a mistake about my aunt's verses. I ought to have told you that they were made, as well as presented, in a dream, and consequently that I lost the copy the moment that I waked, and intended to send you a piece of Pope's instead of them; but you see my paper is filled up with more important business: so that I will either send them in my next, or bring them with me when I come to town. And now, madam, I think it might be decorous to make an end of this discourse, which begins to look more like a sermon than a letter. But, before I conclude, I must remove one scruple that came into your mind as

soon as you read the first sentence, and that is, what have I to do with preaching, having but just laid aside my rattle and my hobbyhorse. Now, madam, you are to understand that these sermons of ours are but a sort of moral discourses of about half an hour long. We deliver them indeed from a pulpit; but it is only in our family, and consequently we allow ourselves many liberties, which might possibly be offensive to the bulk of a congregation. Iam thinking to compose one about the evil and remedy of ungoverned love; and if it prove tolerably good, I shall beg the favour of you to accept it. It is by such exertions as these that I should prepare myself for the honour of becoming your chaplain and though I can never hope to arrive at the perfection you require, and which you might meet with in another person; yet I hope your maternal goodness will forgive a thousand faults, and will remember that, though I am very defective in many other capacities, yet I am, with the most entire gratitude and affection,

Madam,

Your most obedient Son,

and obliged humble Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE,

TO MRS. CLARK.

Kibworth, 1721.

I HAVE So long known Clio to be the best humoured creature in the world, that I am never surprised at a new instance of her goodness. Yet it is impossible for me to express how much I am delighted to find that my apprehensions are groundless, and that I am still so happy as to possess some share of her

esteem.

I am pleased to think of the agreeable amusement you have met with in Berkshire, for all your satisfactions are mine. I must acknowledge myself clearly of your mind, that mixed company is the most agreeable; and, as I have frequently told you, it is my great affliction that we have so little of it at Kibworth: and yet, if we had any ladies here, I should be just as idle as the day is long, and find so many charms in their conversation, at least if it resembled yours, that my book would lie by unmolested, which might not perhaps be altogether so well; for although I know such company would be very improving in certain particulars, yet it is possible I might not learn much Hebrew, Mathematics, or Pneumatology. Excuse my using that mystical word, and believe that it is at least a very innocent one; or, if you must needs have an interpreter, you may have recourse to Mr. Whittingham, who will tell

you it is a Greek term, and signifies the doctrine of spirit.

You are very kind to endeavour to supply the want of your company by allowing me to keep your letters, and need not question but that I shall take a liberty I have been so importunate to obtain. However, to preserve my dear Clio from all uneasiness on that head, I here promise, that, if I apprehend myself at any time in immediate danger of death, I will take care that they do not outlive me.

Awhile ago I received a letter from Mr. Clark, in which he tells me of the increase of Mr. Downes's school. Mr. Murray, at the same time, brought word that Mr. Clark is going to be married to Mrs. Sarah Jennings. I did not inquire particularly into the reason he had to believe it, but should be glad to hear from you whether there be any thing in the report.

I have seen so many instances of the inconsistency of Mrs. Banks, that I am not much surprised at the news you send me about her, much less can I wonder that any body who has had the happiness to know Mrs. Clark should be desirous of renewing the acquaintance.

I beg, madam, you would make no more apologies for your writing, which, if you had not mentioned, I should scarcely have observed, being always in so much haste to know what you say, that it is not till the third or fourth reading that I can tell how you have said it. I could wish that my pen were a little worse than it is, that I might have that pretty excuse