condemned is a thousand times more disagreeable than it was a few weeks ago. Had I but One agreeable, constant companion, I could be easy, but it is my misfortune to be quite alone, and can you wonder that it has almost made me stupid.

I do not know how to express my concern for the ill state of your health. I am really sometimes afraid, and I speak it with a very sad heart, that I shall never see you any more; for if your appetite does not mend, I do not see how it is possible that you should live another year; and, God knows, that if I lose you, I lose the dearest friend I have in the world. I leave you, and all my other concerns, in the hands of that God who will certainly do that which is best for us both; but I can assure you, that if my prayers, and the prayers of a great many excellent friends here about, can keep you a few years longer out of heaven, you will not be there very

soon.

I beg you, my dear, to accept of the trifle, which I have inclosed, and would have you lay it out in brandy, and drink a pint of milk every morning, and a pint every afternoon, and I firmly believe it will do you a great deal of good. I earnestly insist upon it, that you let me know how you do in a few days, and pray send me a particular account, for I am extremely solicitous about you, perhaps even to a fault.

When I am alone, in the intervals of business, I cannot forbear reflecting upon the pleasure and advantage I have enjoyed in your company and friendship, and the loss I should sustain if it should

please God to remove you: this thought makes me excessively melancholy, and, in a great measure, unfits me either for business or diversion. Indeed, I am now in a violent fit of weeping, and can say nothing but what is very doleful, and so will defer writing more till a brighter day.

Monday Morning, Aug. 26.

I stayed a long while with my poor cousin John, and found him just as my brother left him. I do not think it possible for him to live a month; and I believe he has not the least expectation to recover, and yet he seems afraid so much as to think of death. His wife is almost equally ill. They both seemed to take it very kindly that I called to see them, and I should have been very uneasy if I had neglected it.

Saturday, Aug. 31.

I have received my things according to expectation. The books are not at all damaged. My bands fit me perfectly well. I could easily know them to be your work by their neatness, and I heartily thank you for the pains you have taken about them.

I am your most affectionate Brother

and humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

TO MR. NORRIS.

REVEREND SIR,

Sept. 12, 1723.

I FULLY intended to wait upon you at Welford, according to my promise, but was prevented by a humour which is fallen into my right hand. If it continues increasing as it has done for some days, it is certain that by Wednesday morning I shall hardly be able to hold the bridle, which, with me, is one of the most necessary parts of horsemanship; so that I must be forced to stay at home all the next week and take physic, whereas, otherwise, I intended to defer it till the next.

I desire you would send me a line or two by Mr. Lewis to let me know when you can most conveniently come over to Kibworth to administer the sacrament there, and I will wait upon you, at Welford, the Saturday evening before. I should be glad to hear what day Mr. Richards has fixed for our coming over to Hinckley to enter our claim upon Mr. Jennings's books. I have here sent you the first volume of Evans's Sermons. I have not yet finished the second, but will take care either to bring or send it in a few days. I desire that, when you have done with it, you will send it over to Mount Sorrel, if you have an opportunity of doing so. My humble service to the ministers, and assure them, that I am

heartily sorry that I am prevented from paying my respects to them as I intended.

I am, Reverend Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

P. S. I had the misfortune to lose myself for a while, after I parted from you, in going from Harborough to Great Bowden. I wandered a considerable time in the dark, and at last blundered upon Kibworth in my way.

TO MR. WARREN.

REV. SIR,

Stretton, Sept. 16, 1723.

I AM informed that the question is still entertained as to inviting me over to preach at Coventry. Without inquiring what is likely to be the result, I think it necessary to let you know, that for many important reasons relating both to Kibworth and Coventry, I have long been absolutely determined not to meddle any further in that affair, and therefore I desire that none of my friends there will give themselves any trouble about it. I heartily wish that the choice of an assistant may issue so as to be most for the advantage of the congregation in general, and for your satisfaction in particular.

I beg the favour of you to give my humble service to my friends at Coventry, and thank them for their kind thoughts of me. I am very much obliged to you for the civility and kindness with which you have always treated me, and am with the utmost sincerity,

Reverend Sir,

Your most humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

FROM MRS. NETTLETON.

DEAREST BROTHER,

Hampstead, Sept. 21, 1723.

AFTER long indulged expectations and many uneasy thoughts about you, to the universal joy of our house, on the 13th of this month I received your welcome letter, and immediately read it to your little wife and my mother, and then went into the next chamber, and read it again to the young ladies. My mother was so overjoyed to hear from you, and so affected with your letter, that indeed she wept while I was reading it. I am heartily glad you got well home, and had a pleasant journey, and should have been pleased if you had had more agreeable companions; but as the time was short, it was of little moment. I hope by this time you are pretty well settled, and more easy in your solitude; yet I could heartily wish you a little good company; though I