help to memory, I shall comprehend under these three expressive, though, I confess, not very elegant words, Vindication, Deprecation, and Thanksgiving.

1. I am to vindicate myself from some accusations of a very high and important nature, which you in your wisdom have brought against me, and they are

two.

(1.) That I have made a false citation from your former letter. Your words there being "you charge me with an expression that I do not remember I ever made use of, that if all men had your sincerity, I should be happy." Now, madam, I must confess that the words are a little altered, but I believe that you yourself will acknowledge they amount to the same thing. In order to clear up this important point, we will have recourse to the original itself. Among a thousand other obliging things in that charming letter of the second of December you have written these words, "I cannot find much satisfaction in the company of men, because they are such deceitful creatures; but if they were all like you, I should be happy." Now, (not to mention the connexion or context, which undoubtedly determine the words to the sense I have put upon them,) I am sure you must mean their being like me in sincerity; because I believe it to be the only part of my character which it would be worth their while to imitate.

The next accusation is of a more important nature. "You say that the insincerity of the men is partly owing to the folly of the ladies, who spend more time in adorning their bodies than in embellishing their

minds; and this, I suppose, you meant as a reflection upon me." And now, Clio, as a preacher ought to do, I will put this matter to your conscience. Do you really suppose this? Do you suppose I could have so much stupidity as to think it, or so much imprudence as to say it? or is there any thing in the neighbourhood of this wicked sentence that could leave room for a suspicion of this nature? No, unless my memory entirely fail me, I need only appeal to the very next word to convince you that, if I may presume to use so bold an expression, you have done me wrong. But though I must confess that I think you have treated me a little unkindly in this last insinuation, yet I tremble at the thoughts of losing your correspondence; and, consequently,

2. I am extremely shocked with the conclusion of your letter: "When I have a particular favourite, I will let you know; till then I am yours, Clio." Till then, Clio, and no longer! alas, I used to please myself with the prospect of a friend for life; and it has often been an agreeable amusement to me to think what an alteration there will be in the course of our style and our way of thinking, when we come to write ourselves Clio and Hortensius in spectacles; and here you have limited our correspondence to a few months; for I am sure that must be its utmost extent if it is to stand upon that footing. Is there any thing suspicious in such a platonic affection as ours, that you imagine your future husband will be offended? Pray, tell him, that my share in your friendship is one of the dearest things I have in the world,

and that I will never give it up; but shall expect to call you Clio when I cannot call Clark.

you

3. And now, madam, having dispatched the two former heads, I will proceed to the thanksgiving. And here again I shall proceed methodically, according to your example.

(1.) I am extremely obliged to you for being so good as to say, that for my sake and that of some other persons, whom you do not name, you shall have a better opinion of our sex than you formerly had. This, madam, soothes my vanity in the most agreeable manner. It is so fine a compliment, that I cannot tell how to answer it, unless it be in the old orthodox form, which is a ready answer to any compliment, that it is more your goodness than any desert of mine.' It is in consequence of the same generous nature that you add,

(2.) That you forgive me the imaginary affront, which you mentioned above, before I have an opportunity of asking your pardon. I hope, madam, you are already convinced that I am perfectly innocent, and so will give me leave to lay up your pardon till the next time I am so unhappy as to offend you.

(3.) Madam, I have to thank you for my frank; but hope you will answer this without staying for another. I trust this will come by the penny post: if it does not, it will not come at all.

I have been so large in the discussion of the first general, that I must be more brief than I intended in handling the second, which is,

II. To inform you in some particulars, which I

beg the favour of you to take notice of.-I begin to be tired with this drowsy method, as, I believe, madam, you may also be, and therefore will not multiply particulars.

Mr. Jennings may, perhaps, remove from Kibworth to Hinckley, which, next to Leicester, is the largest town in the county. By this means I shall meet with a great deal more society. But any company will avail but little, unless Clio will visit me sometimes with her letters.

My sister tells me that Mrs. Banks has renewed her acquaintance with you and Mrs Clark; and I am extremely glad to hear it; for I am sure it will be for her advantage. I shall trouble her with a letter in a few days, and, as I think I told you in my last, shall direct it to be left in your care.

I have certainly wearied you with my impertinence; and yet I designed to have added a little more. However, I will conclude all, in the words of a reverend divine, "of these things thus far." I add no more at this time, but shall reserve the rest to another opportunity. I am,

Madam,

Your most obedient and most preaching Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

DEAR SIR,

TO MR HUGHES*.

Kibworth, 1721. It is not very easy for me to believe myself slighted by my friends, especially by such a friend as Mr. Hughes. Therefore I am willing to put the kindest construction upon your silence; and yet I can hardly forbear complaining that you have not answered my last. Perhaps you are offended at the plainness with which it was expressed; but you know that I do not understand compliments, and I know that you do not value them. However, if I was too free with you, I hope you will excuse me, when I assure you that all I said was well meant. I feel, indeed, that I have nothing but sincerity to recommend me to your friendship; and it is a comfort that I am at least well furnished with that quality. As to the charge of postages, I always find so much satisfaction in your letters, that I never think of it; however, if you have any scruple on that head, you may write to Mr. Scott and to me upon the same paper, and we will take the same method in answering

you.

I am heartily concerned to hear that the smallpox is in your house. house. It is well you have so little

* Mr. Hughes was the son of a dissenting minister then resident at Ware, in Hertfordshire; and his grandfather (Obadiah Hughes) was ejected from his studentship in Christ Church, Oxford, by the act of uniformity in 1662. He was also related to John Hughes, Esq. author of the Siege of Damascus, and a contributor to the Tatler, Spectator, and Guardian.