I imagined,1 has already happened here, though not in the way I expected. In a way indeed, that confutes itself, and therefore (as I am told) makes no impression on the hearers. But I will not answer for the truth of this: at least such, as are strangers to me, may be influenced by it. However, though I know the quarter, whence it comes, I cannot interpose at present, lest I make the matter worse. Judge you of my happiness, may yours never meet with any cloud or interruption. Adieu! I beg you to write to me. February 17, 1757.

CXXI. TO THOMAS WHARTON.

Sunday, April 17, 1757.

DEAR DOCTOR-If I did not immediately answer your kind enquiry, you will attribute it to the visit, which I was obliged to do the honours of for two or three days, and which is now over. I find nothing new to add to my uneasiness here; on the contrary it is considerably abated, and quiet, and hope, is gradually returning. I am extremely glad to hear your country residence promises so well, and has been so serviceable to Mrs. Wharton already.

You desire to know how I like my visit. Lord N[uneham] is a sensible well-bred young man, a little too fine even for me, who love a little finery he

:

1 This seems to refer to the ejection of Henry Tuthill from his fellowship.-[Ed.]

never will be popular, and it is well, if he be not very much hated. His party were Lord Villiers, and Mr. Spencer, but I did not see a great deal of them. Lord John has been with me all this morning. The Duke of Bedford is now here to settle his son at Trinity, and Mr. Rigby is come to assist him with his advice. Adieu, I am interrupted, but will write again soon. Believe me ever yours,

T. G.

CXXII. TO THE REV. WILLIAM MASON.

April 23, 1757.

DEAR MASON-I too am set down here with something greater hopes of quiet than I could entertain when I saw you last; at least nothing new has happened to give me any disturbance, and the assurances you gave me in your letter from hence are pretty well confirmed by experience. I shall be very ready to take as much of Mr. Delap's1 dulness as he chooses to part with at any price he pleases, even with his want of sleep and weak bowels into the bargain; and I will be your curate, and he shall live here with all

1 Mr. or Dr. Delap was curate in his earlier life to Mason at Aston in 1756. The first entry of his name appears in a marriage 14th November 1756, his last signature in May 1758. In 1759 he was succeeded by Mr. John Wood. His portrait I have seen in the dining-room at Aston rectory, and it is now in Mrs. Alderson's possession. He was the author of a tragedy, Hecuba, acted with very indifferent success at Drury Lane Theatre in 1762, and The Captives, which was endured for three nights and then was gathered to its fathers.-[Mit.]

my wit and power of learning. Dr. Brown's book 1 (I hear) is much admired in town, which I do not understand. I expected it would be admired here; but they affect not to like it, though I know they ought. What would you have me do? There is one thing in it I applaud, which is the dissertation against trade, for I have always said it was the ruin of the nation. I have read the little wicked book about Evil,2 that settled Mr. Dodsley's conscience in that point, and find nothing in it but absurdity: we call it Soame Jenyns's, but I have a notion you mentioned some other name to me, though I have forgotten it. Stonhewer has done me the honour to send me your friend Lord Nuneham hither, with a fine recommendatory letter written by his own desire, in Newmarketweek. Do not think he was going to Newmarket; no, he came in a solitaire, great sleeves, jessaminepowder, and a large bouquet of jonquils, within twelve miles of that place, on purpose not to go thither. We had three days' intercourse, talked about the beaux arts, and Rome, and Hanover, and Mason,-whose praises we celebrate à qui mieux mieux,-vowed eternal friendship, embraced, and parted. I promised

1 This is the well-known Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times, by Dr. John Brown, a book which occupied for a time a very large share of public attention and applause; several editions were called for in the course of a year, and a second volume followed the first.—[Mit.]

2 The Origin of Evil, by Soame Jenyns. Dr. Johnson exposed the absurdity of this book by his famous review in the Literary Magazine.-[Ed.]

to write you a thousand compliments in his name. I saw also Lord Villiers and Mr. Spencer, who carried him back with them; en passant, they did not like me at all. Here has been too the best of all Johns1 (I hardly except the Evangelist and the Divine), who is not, to be sure, a bit like my Lord Nuneham, but full as well, in my mind. The Duke of Bedford has brought his son,2 aye, and Mr. Rigby too; they were at church on Sunday morning, and Mr. Sturgeon 3 preached to them and the heads, for nobody else was present. Mr. F-n is not his tutor. These are the most remarkable events at Cambridge.

4

3

Mr. Bonfoy has been here; he had not done what you recommended to him before he came out of town, and he is returned thither only the beginning of this week, when he assured me he certainly would do it. Alas! what may this delay occasion; it is best not to think. Oh happy Mr. Delap! Adieu, my best Mason; I am pleased to think how much I am obliged to you, and that, while I live, I must be ever yours.

CXXIII.- -TO THE REV. WILLIAM MASON.

Cambridge, Tuesday, May. 1757. DEAR MASON-You are so forgetful of me, that I should not forgive it, but that I suppose Caractacus 1 Lord John Cavendish.

2 Francis Marquess of Tavistock, of Trinity College, M.A. 1759; he died before his father in 1767.

3 Roger Sturgeon, M. A., Fellow of Caius.

4 Perhaps Thomas Francklyn, of Trinity, who was Greek Professor from 1750 to 1759.-[Ed.]

may be the better for it; yet I hear nothing from him neither, in spite of his promises. There is no faith in man, no, not in a Welch-man, and yet Mr. Parry1 has been here and scratched out such ravishing blind harmony, such tunes of a thousand years old, with names enough to choke you, as have set all this learned body a-dancing, and inspired them with due reverence for Odikle, whenever it shall appear. Mr. Parry (you must know) it was that has put Odikle in motion again, and with much exercise it has got a tender tail grown, like Scroddles, and here it is; if you do not like it, you may kiss it.

You remember the "Visions of Glory," that descended on the heights of Snowdon, and unrolled their glittering skirts so slowly.2

ANTIST. 3.

Haughty knights and barons bold,
With dazzling helm and horrent spear,
And gorgeous dames and statesmen old,
Of bearded majesty, appear;

In the midst a form divine :

Her eye proclaims her born of Arthur's line
Her lion-port, her awe-commanding face,
Attemper'd sweet to virgin grace.

What strings symphonious tremble in the air,

1 A Welsh harper of considerable eminence, who had been blind from his infancy. He died in 1782. He was the father of John Parry, A.R.A.—[Ed.]

2 This copy of the unfinished text of the "Bard" varies in several places from that sent two years before to Dr. Wharton. -[Ed.]