I shall expect an answer in a few days, which need only be directed to me at Mr. Jennings's in Hinckley. I beg that you will not delay writing, if you would not have me believe that you have forgotten the most affectionate of your friends, and the humblest of your servants,

P. DODDRIDGE.

P.S. When last in London, I was several times in Mr. Wright's company. I was extremely pleased to hear him speak of you with much tenderness and respect. He inquired, whether I kept up any correspondence with you, or had heard any thing of your present character; and you may be sure, that neither truth nor friendship would permit me to say any thing that could displease him.

TO MRS. LEWIS.

MADAM,

Hinckley, Oct. 13, 1722. A LITTLE accidental business which I did not expect, and which would not admit of delay, hindered me from sending you the sermons so soon as I promised and intended; and I am very sensible, that now they are come, they need a great deal of apology. You will easily perceive by their shortness that they are only an abridgment; but I have enlarged something more in the reflections than in transcribing the former part, because I know that you, madam, can ap

prehend an argument in fewer words than most of my auditory could; and because we are all more inclined to neglect important truths than to disbelieve them. I was obliged to write very fast, and am afraid you will be puzzled to read it.

I will assure you, madam, I should never have thought of troubling you with these plain discourses, which have little more than an honest intention to recommend them, if it had not been at your express desire. I heartily wish that the perusal of these imperfect hints may be of some use to excite in your mind a lively sense of the divine omniscience, and to advance those holy dispositions which it is our most important business to cultivate in this world, and which alone can prepare us for the happiness of the next. I am confident you have good nature enough to pardon a great many defects that you will meet with, and beg you to accept of this little instance of attention as a proof of that sincerity and respect with which I am,

Madam,

Your most obedient and most humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

VOL. I.

M

TO MRS. CLARK.

October 1772.

FOR my own part I am fully persuaded—and I hope Clio will be so polite as to take it upon my word, that every one of us has a guardian angel that is so kind as to preside over his affairs; and so, on the other hand, I am apt to suspect that there is some evil genius that continually makes it his business either to destroy or retard our happiness. You will wonder what occasion there is for beginning my letter with this grave confession of my faith in the doctrine of demonology. I profess, Clio, it was not only to show my most profound learning! (though perhaps that might be one reason,) but because this unlucky devil has of late been playing me such a spiteful trick that I can hardly find in my heart to forgive him. Yes, he most certainly looked over your shoulder, when you wrote those charming letters of the 25th of July and 10th of August, and the illnatured creature envied me the transport that he knew they would give me. I perceive he would fain have torn them to pieces, for he actually made shift to tear away a little of the edges, but could not succeed; and therefore, by all the wicked arts of which he is master, he endeavoured to make them miscarry; and actually stopped them upon the road, for I did not receive them till almost a month after the date. When I had even read them, and made this remark, it was

a good while before I could recover ill-nature enough to be angry with him that I received them no sooner; for you, madam, pleaded his excuse, and you have the art of saying the kindest things with such an air of sincerity, that, in spite of all my uneasiness, I must believe and you you; write with so much beauty and elegance of expression, that I profess, that if you were not the best humoured creature in the world, I should never have the confidence to answer your letters.

My old woman and I go on very peaceably. You certainly have no reason, at least, to fear that she should deprive you of my heart; for I will assure you, that a more powerful rival has been unsuccessful. I must certainly look very odd when I tell you that I have been in a great deal of danger of falling most violently in love. The other day I accidentally met with a young lady about my own age, of the most agreeable person. She has wit, is perfectly well-bred, and then she has something so soft and innocent in her air that-if I say any more about her, I shall talk nonsense. Well, I cannot deny but that I was charmed with her for a few days she was the darling object of my thoughts; and, shall I confess it? every thing but Clio was forgotten. Yes, Clio was still remembered with an equal, or perhaps with a superior tenderness! Nay, by a most wonderful effort of wisdom and philosophy, which I hope you will admire as much as I do, friendship is entirely victorious over love, and Clio still the darling of my heart!

M 2

The turnover* you sent me is charming, and extremely admired by every body: I heartily wish that I knew how to say something very handsome in return for the pains you have taken about it. I know I am but a very awkward fellow at a compliment; and therefore, without aiming at any thing so sublime, I will only tell you plainly that it is so pretty I should value it highly though done by a stranger, and that I have so much respect for Clio that I am exceedingly fond of it as being her work.

I am, dear Madam,

Your most obedient and most humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

TO MR. HUGHES.

DEAR SIR,

Hinckley, 1722. I ACKNOWLEDGE there is a great deal of spirit in the turn you give to the concluding words of my letter, though it be extremely different from the sense in

*This was an article of dress which hung over the shoulders, something in the way of a shirt-collar turned down. It was often richly embroidered, and no inelegant addition to the costume of the day. Turnovers may frequently be noticed as represented in pictures of that date. They may also be observed as worn by our old acquaintance, Piscator, Venator, and Auceps, as they are seen trudging along by Tottenham Cross on “a fine fresh May morning,” in the frontispiece to the Contemplative Man's Recreation, by that hearty old friend of our boyhood, Master Isaac Walton.