have another opportunity, and I would not put you to the charge of a letter merely upon that account, and therefore I will mention it now, that I should be glad to know where I am to spend it. I could find very agreeable employment at Kibworth, for here are a great many books, that I am afraid I shall never find time to read: but then, which I suppose you may expect, there are strong objections against that plan. Whitsuntide is the time fixed for our removal to Hinckley, and consequently we shall be in a sort of a hurry for about a fortnight; all the rest of the time Mr. Jennings and his lady will be abroad, and the maids will be but indifferent company at home. My fellow pupils will be all gone, and I need not repeat what I said twelve months ago about a precedent: besides, sir, I will not dissemble it, I have a great deal of pleasure in the company of my good friends about London and St. Albans. Perhaps I have not been so impartial in summing up the evidence, but that you will see which way my inclination leads me. However, I leave it to your determination, and do not doubt but I shall make myself easy either way.

I

am, reverend Sir,

Your most obliged and most humble Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE,

TO MRS. FARRINGTON.

Kibworth, 1721.

THERE is nothing in the world that affords a more agreeable employment than writing to my mamma, and yet really it is at present a little unseasonable; for just as I received the honour of your last, that is, about a quarter of an hour ago, I was sitting down to begin a sermon, which I must be obliged to deliver in a few days. Your commands, however, are never to be disputed; and therefore, since you expect an answer by the next post, I throw away my graver business, and apply myself to a work that I am much more fond of, especially since you are so good as to tell me, that you find some little amusement in my impertinence.

I most compassionately condole with you upon your lonely circumstances. My aunt's company is always so agreeable, that I do not wonder you are concerned for her absence. But I hope, madam, she will quickly return from her elopement; and in the mean time I should be exceeding glad if I could say any thing that might administer the least diversion and entertainment in your solitude. But I profess, madam, you have too high an opinion of your son's abilities.

You know how I am chained down to my studies. But since it is but a day's journey from York to Londont, methinks, madam, you might spare a few hours

• A playful appellation for his friend Mrs. Clark.

An allusion to the story of Turpin.

to come and look upon me at Kibworth, which is but a small part of the way. I am sure there is no company in the world that would be more agreeable: but the misfortune is, I should be at a wretched loss how to entertain you. I look around upon my chamber, and I perceive that it was not built for the reception of ladies: for, if I may use the similitude, it is like that of the prophet's that stood upon the wall, and had nothing in it but a bed, and a table, a stool, and a candlestick; and the prophetic furniture of pen, ink, and paper. Still it is true, in this uncouth den I hold an ideal converse with the most agreeable ladies in the world, particularly, as I intimated in my last, with my mamma and my aunt, who are its most constant inhabitants. But I am afraid I must content myself with this intellectual conversation, for, I dare say, these bodily eyes will never see you here; for, besides a thousand other inconveniences, the stairs are so intolerably narrow that it would be impossible to get up without putting off your hoops, which is too great a favour to be expected.

Therefore, mamma, since I cannot bring this to bear, I will wait upon you at Bethnal Green. And here I am serious, for I am actually to come to town in a few weeks, that is, in about eight or ten. I am extremely delighted with the mere thought; but there is one thing which makes me a little uneasy, and that is, that I have contracted such an awkward air among my country companions, and am so ignorant in a great many circumstances of polite beha

viour, that I am in the utmost confusion at the idea of appearing among the ladies. Now, madam, whether I consider you as my mamma, or as the polite and agreeable Mrs. Farrington, still I think you the most proper person in the world to advise with in such a case; and therefore, without any further apology, I will freely expose some circumstances of my ignorance, by which you may judge of the rest, and add such information as you may think

necessary.

I never walk with a lady but I am frequently at a loss to know whether I ought to go before or after her. I think, according to the rules of nature and philosophy, a man should lead the way. But there is one terrible objection against this that I cannot surmount, and that is, that when a lady is going down stairs the petticoat, emphatically so called, may discover charms it was perhaps her intention to conceal ; and I must frankly confess, that though I look upon good breeding as a very valuable accomplishment,

yet

I consider modesty as a quality of more importance, so that, to answer my own question, I had rather transgress the laws of etiquette than encounter so seductive a temptation, which I blush to own I might not always resist with the philosophy of St. Augustine*. In the next place, madam, I would

This passage appears to be an ironical allusion to some fair friend, who was in the habit of managing her hoop with more grace than caution. Nor should it be forgotten that in certain situations the lovely wearer was under the hazardous necessity of throwing the magic circle out of its due parallel with the horizon,

seriously know how far kissing is in fashion, and whether, when a young man is just come out of the country, he is actually obliged to kiss all his female acquaintance, or whether that ceremony be confined only to the nearest relations, as mothers, aunts, and sisters.

I desire that you would answer these weighty questions in your next, only that I may have time to digest your advice, and treasure it up in my heart; for I shall expect the favour of more than one letter before the vacation.

And now, mamma, I suppose you will think it time for me to answer your letters; and certainly it is so. They were both extremely obliging; and I have, as usual, read them over several times with renewed pleasure. I should find a great deal to say in reply, but as I have almost tired you already, I will only touch upon some of the most material passages; and yet, as I fancy I have still a pretty deal more to say, it will be convenient for you to fold up the letter, and reserve the rest to another opportunity.

I was extremely pleased with the verses, which are not only fine in themselves, but perfectly agreeable to my way of thinking. I suppose, madam, I need not say that I think myself very much obliged to you for the favour of transcribing them. There is something so soft and harmonious in them, that I cannot but believe they were written by a lady; and perhaps, if I knew the author, I should value them still more. You ask what I can say in answer to