present scheme, you must (in case of Mr. Wharton's death) entirely lay aside all views of that kind. The gradual transition you propose to make through Bath or Cambridge to London is very well judged, and likely enough to succeed. For Bath, I am wholly unacquainted with it, and consequently can say little to the purpose. The way of life there might be more amusing to Mrs. Wharton, than this; but to you, I think, would be less satisfactory. I sincerely congratulate you on the good effects of your new medicine, which is indeed a sufficient recompense for any pains you have taken in that study. But to make a just trial of its efficacy and of your own constitution, you certainly ought to pass a little time at London (a month or so)1.

engaged himself to make it up £1000, in case the brothers will not do it, and they have (after some hesitation), refused it. Our good Mr. Brown goes out of his office to-day, of which he is not a little glad. His college, which had much declined for some time, is picking up again: they have had twelve admissions this year; and are just filling up two fellowships with a Mr. Cardell, whom I do not know, but they say, he is a good scholar; and a Mr. Delaval, a Fellow-Commoner (a younger son to old Delaval of Northumberland), who has taken his degree in an exemplary manner, and is very sensible, and knowing. The appeal, which has been so long contended for, will, I believe, at last be yielded to with a good grace, or rather About sixteen lines of the MS. are lost here.-[Ed.]

bestowed, by the advice of the D. of Newcastle, and my Lord Ch", and will be the best, the most popular thing they can do. But you must not mention it, till it is actually done. I am sorry your friend Chapman will lose all the merit of his pamphlet, which (by the way) has been answered exceedingly well, and with all due contempt. He seems much mortified, and was preparing a reply, but this event, I doubt, will cut him short.

I know of nothing new in the literary way, but the history of Lewis 14th, by Voltaire; not that I have yet seen it, but my expectations are much raised.—Adieu, my dear Wharton, I am ever most truly yours,

T. G.

P.S.-I am ready to pay my debts, if you will tell me to whom. My compliments and good wishes to Mrs. Wharton, and the little gentry.

[Endorsed thus:] October 10, 1750.

LXXV.-TO JOHN CHUTE.

My God! Mr. Chute in England? what, and have you seen him, and did he say nothing to you? not a word of me? such was my conversation, when I first heard news so surprising, with a person, that (when I reflect) it is indeed no great wonder you did not much interrogate concerning me, as you knew nothing of what has passed of late.

But let me ask you yourself, have a few years

totally erased me from your memory? you are generous enough perhaps to forget all the obligations I have to you. But is it generosity to forget the person you have obliged too? while I remember myself, I cannot but remember you: and consequently cannot but wonder, when I find nowhere one line, one syllable, to tell me you are arrived. I will venture to say, there is nobody in England, however nearly connected with you, that has seen you with more real joy and affection than I shall. You are, it seems, gone into the country, whither (had I reason to think you wished to see me) I should immediately have. followed; as it is, I am returning to Cambridge, but with intention to come back to town again, whenever you do, if you will let me know the time and place.

I readily set Mr. Whd.1 free from all imputations. He is a fine young personage in a coat all over spangles, just come over from the Tour of Europe to take possession, and be married: and consequently can't be supposed to think of anything, or remember anybody, but you! however, I don't altogether clear him, he might have said something to one, who remembers him when he was but a Pout. Nevertheless, I desire my hearty gratulations to him, and say I wish him more spangles, and more estates, and more wives.-Adieu! my dear Sir, I am ever yours, T. GRAY.

P.S.-My compliments to Mrs. Chute (who once 1 Francis Whithead, the nephew of John Chute. Gray and Walpole met these gentlemen in Florence in 1740. Whithead

did me the honour to write to me), and say I give her

joy very sincerely of your return.

London, October.

To T. G. of Peterhouse, Cambridge.

To John Chute, Esq.

at Mr. Whithead's, of Southwick,

near Farnham, Hampshire.

LXXVI. TO JOHN CHUTE.

MY DEAR SIR-You have not then forgot me, and I shall see you soon again. It suffices, and there needed no other excuse. I loved you too well not to forgive you, without a reason: but I could not but be sorry for myself.

You are lazy (you say) and listless, and gouty, and old, and vexed, and perplexed: I am all that (the gout excepted) and many things more, that I hope you never will be: so that what you tell me on that head, est trop flateur pour moi. Our imperfections may at least excuse, and perhaps recommend us to one another; methinks I can readily pardon sickness, and age, and vexation, for all the depredations they make within and without, when I think they make us better friends, and better men, which I am persuaded is often the case. I am very sure, I have seen the best tempered, generous, tender young creatures in the world, that would have been very glad to be sorry for people they liked, when under any pain, and died prematurely, in 1751, of a chill taken in the huntingfield.-[Ed.]

could not, merely for want of knowing rightly, what it was themselves.

I find Mr. Walpole then made some mention of me to you; yes, we are together again. It is about a year, I believe, since he wrote to me, to offer it, and there has been (particularly of late), in appearance, the same kindness and confidence almost as of old. What were his motives, I cannot yet guess. What were mine, you will imagine and perhaps blame me. However as yet I neither repent, nor rejoice overmuch, but I am pleased. He is full, I assure you, of your Panegyric. Never anybody had half so much wit, as Mr. Chute (which is saying everything with him, you know) and Mr. Whd. is the finest young man that ever was imported. I hope to embrace this fine man (if I can), and thank him heartily for being my advocate, tho' in vain. He is a good creature, and I am not sure but I shall be tempted to eat a wing of him with Sellery-Sauce.

I am interrupted. Whenever I know of your time, I will be in town presently. I cannot but make Mrs. Chute my best acknowledgments for taking my part. Heaven keep you all.-I am, my best Mr. Chute, very faithfully yours,

Cambridge, October 12, Sunday, 1750.

T. G.