Jervas; and, if he takes it from another original, the Q-----n shall fit at least twice for him to touch it up. I defire you will let her Majesty know this in plain words, although I have heard that I am under her displeasure. But this is a ufual thing with princes as well as minifters, upon every false representation; and fo I took occafion to tell the Q----n, upon the quarrel Mr. Walpole had with our friend Gay, the first time I ever had the honour to attend her.

Against you I have but one reproach: That, when I was laft in England, and just after the present King's acceffion, I refolved to pass that fummer in France, for which I had then a moft lucky opportunity; from which those who feemed to love me well diffuaded me, by your advice: And, when I sent you a note, conjuring you to lay afide the character of a courtier and a favourite upon that occafion, your answer pofitively directed me not to go in that juncture; and you faid the fame thing to my friends, who seemed to have power of giving me hints, that I might reasonably hope for a fettlement in England. Which, God knows, was no very great ambition, confidering the ftation I should leave here,

of

of greater dignity, and which might have eafily been managed to be difpofed of as o the Q-----n pleased. If these hints came te from you, I affirm you then acted too fo much like a courtier. But I forgive you, and efteem you as much as ever. You had your reasons, which I fhall not en- n quire into; because I always believed you had fome virtues, befides all the accomplishments of mind and perfon that can adorn a lady.

s

I am angry with the Q-----n for facrificing my friend Gay to the mistaken piques of Sir Robert Walpole, about a libel written against him, although he were i convinced at the fame time of Mr. Gay's innocence, and although, as I faid before, I told her Majefty the whole ftory. Mr. Gay deferved better treatment amongst you, upon all accounts, and particularly for his excellent unregarded Fables, dedicated to Prince William, which I hope his Royal Highnefs will often read for his inftruction. I wifh her Majefty would a little remember what I largely faid to her about Ireland, when, before a witness, she gave me leave, and commanded me to tell here what the spoke to me upon that fubject; and ordered me, that, if I lived to

fee

re fee her in her prefent ftation, to fend her dour grievances, promifing to read my letmter, and do all good offices in her power

for this miferable and moft loyal kingdom, u. now at the brink of ruin, and never fo near Duas now. As to myself, I repeat again, that I n never asked any thing more than a trifle, as Dua memorial of fome diftinction which her - Majefty graciously feemed to make between n me and every common clergyman: But

that trifle was forgotten, according to the ufual method of princes, although I was taught to think myself upon a foot of tending to fome little exception.

pre

As to yourself, Madam, I moft heartily congratulate with you for being delivered from the toil, the envy, the flavery, and vexation of a favourite, where you could not always answer the good intentions that I hope you had. You will now be lefs teized with folicitations, one of the greateft evils in life. You poffefs an easy employment, with quiet of mind, although it be by no means equal to your merit: And, if it fhall please God to establish your health, I believe and hope you are too wife to hope for more. Mr. Pope hath always been an advocate for your fincerity, and even I, in the character I gave you

of

yourself,

yourself, allowed you as much of that virtue as could be expected in a lady, a courtier, and a favourite. Yet, I confefs, I never heartily pledged your health as a toast upon any other regards than beauty, wit, good fenfe, and an unblemished character. For, as to friendship, truth, fincerity, and other trifles of that kind, I never concerned myself about them; because I knew them to be only parts of the lower morals, which are altogether ufelefs at courts. am content that you should tell the Q----n all I have faid of her, and in my own words, if you please.

I

I could have been a better prophet in the character I gave you of yourself, if it had been good manners, in the height of your credit, to put you in mind of it's mortality. For, you are not the firft, by at least three ladies, whom I have known to undergo the fame turn of fortune. It is allowed that ladies are often very good fcaffoldings, and I need not tell you the ufe that fcaffoldings are put to by all builders, as well political as mechanic. I fhould have begun this letter by telling you, that I was encouraged to write it by my best friend, and one of your great admirers; who told me, that, from something that had passed

between

between you, he thought you would not receive it ill. After all, I know no perfon of your fex, for whom I have fo great an esteem, as I do and believe I fhall always continue to bear for you, I mean a private person; for I must except the Q-----n, and it is not an exception of form: Because I have really a great veneration for her great qualities, although I have reason to complain of her conduct to me; which I could not excufe although she had fifty kingdoms to govern. I have but room to conclude with my fincere profeffions of being, with true respect,

MADAM,

Your moft obedient

Humble fervant,

MADAM,

MY

LETTER L.

To Lady SANTRY.

1730. At a conjecture.

Y reason for waiting on you, fome time ago, was grounded on the esteem I always had for you; which continued ftill the fame, although I had hardly the least acquaintance with your Lord, nor VOL. XVI. L

was