apprehension of it; for I question not but your courage will go a great way towards preserving you from the danger; but as it is at least possible it may seize you, I cannot be without a thousand apprehensions for a friend that I so highly regard; and beg that you will send me word as soon as possible how you do, and whether the distemper spreads or abates in the family. You will oblige me by telling me the gentleman's name who is dead, and particularly whether it be not Mr. Gosling,

I was not surprised to hear, by a gentleman that called at Kibworth a few weeks ago, that Mr. Hughes makes a very considerable figure at Findern, and that his companions not only look upon him as the most complete orator, but as the most rational philosopher there; that his behaviour is in every respect unexceptionable, and that he has a particular share in his tutor's esteem.-These are as nearly as I can remember the words the gentleman made use of; and, as I was just going to write to Mr. Clark, I took occasion to mention them to him, who will, no doubt, communicate them to your father, and perhaps to Mr. Wright. I am sorry, sir, I can only offer you such a trifling service as this, and hope you will believe that it is not the narrowness of my mind, nor the weakness of my affection, that confines me from something more considerable.

I should take it as a favour if you would send me word what may be your number of students, and describe the whole course of your studies, and more particularly, in what part of them you are now engaged; and you may, if it be not too troublesome,

tell me whether you have any public library; how your house is furnished with books, and your society with ladies,

We have no domestic news worth troubling you with. Mr. Scott and I continue in a very intimate friendship, and have never fallen into any thing that looks like a quarrel. With Mr. Cope I continue on pretty good terms, we are frequently together, but there is no mutual confidence existing. Our number has received no addition since you left us. As for our studies, we have finished pneumatology and a great part of ethics, made some progress in critics, and have a pneumatological discussion once a week. It is my lot to make a thesis, and it is high time that I should begin it, which compels me to break off this impertinent tattle, and subscribe myself,

Dear Sir,

Your most affectionate Friend

and humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

P, S. You see I write with the utmost freedom, because I know you are too much a friend to be a critic. I desire you would give my service to that gentleman you have chosen for your intimate companion, and assure him that I respect him very much under that character, though I have not the honour to know him personally.

TO MR. HUGHES.

DEAR SIR,

Kibworth, 1721. I RECEIVED both your letters, and had set apart this afternoon for answering them. My fond heart would easily have dictated enough to fill a sheet of paper; but Mr. Cope tells me the roads are so bad that he must set out almost immediately, if he intends to reach Duffield by to-morrow night. I am obliged therefore to be more brief than I intended; but I hope you will put no unkind construction upon it.

I am charmed with the profession you make of your friendship; for I value it so highly that I can never think I have too many assurances of its reality; and yet I have not the least suspicion of your sincerity. I know the generosity of your temper, and love you so well, that I can easily persuade myself that I have a share in your affection. I know the last argument is not logical, but I am so well satisfied with the conclusion, that I would not examine how I came by it; and especially as you have furnished me with many better reasons.

I am extremely glad to hear that you are so well recovered from the small-pox. I could not but have a thousand tender apprehensions for your safety, and return my thanks to that kind Providence, which, by so seasonable an interposition, hath delivered you from so much danger, and still continued you to be the joy of your friends, the hope of your family, and ornament of the church.

I am very much pleased to hear that your situation at Findern is so agreeable; and particularly that you have such a companion as Mr. Cater. I am charmed with the character you give me of that gentleman; and indeed when I heard of the fineness of his imagination, the strength of his judgment, the sweetness of his temper, and the purity of his morals, I should have said,—this gentleman is Mr. Hughes's friend! though I had not been told so. How glad should I be to make a third among you, and how agreeably does it flatter my feelings to think, that I have sometimes the honour of being the subject of your discourse.

I never doubted but that when you came seriously to peruse the inspired writings, you would be sensible of their charms; for no man has a better relish for fine writing than yourself. I have lately been perusing Solomon's Song; and upon the whole cannot but think it an incomparable composition, and that the author was as much the noblest of poets, as the deepest of philosophers and the wisest of kings. The sixth chapter is not inferior to any other part; and I am particularly pleased with the tenth verse, "Who is she that looketh forth as the Morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" I never read these charming words but with a double pleasure, when I remember the inimitable grace with which I have heard you repeat them.

I have lately been reading Spratt's History, and the greater part of Sir William Temple's works;

and my sentiments of them entirely accord with yours and Mr. Cater's. I am now perusing Scott's Christian Life, and find so much pleasure in the task that I cannot forbear giving you the mortification of thanking you for it again. I could add a great deal more of this nature, but Mr. Cope delivers you from farther trouble by calling upon me. I therefore conclude, and subscribe myself

A FEW days ago I went with my tutor to wait upon my Lady Jane Russel at Maidwell. I believe, sir, you know, that several years ago I had the honour to be a little known in that family; and I did not doubt but that Mr. Cotton, who has a very great interest in it, had informed her ladyship of my circumstances: but I find she had been an utter stranger to them till very lately, and that then she received her information from Mr. Jennings, who goes thither every week to instruct Miss Russel in the globes and astronomy. Her ladyship treated me with a great