I flatter myself, sir, that by this time you will have received the answer of our minister; and that you will be convinced by it at last that we are not adventurers; that we have a country, a family, and property; that our children are as dear to us as are the children of others; and that our reputation is dearer to us than any advantages which fortune might procure for them at the expense of our honour.

I beg of you, sir, in answer to this, to inform me of your determination, as we are open to any arrangement. If you are unable to accompany Mie Mie, my husband will come and fetch her when we leave this place; or, if you will accompany her as far as Calais, I will be there myself. Lastly, I beseech you to inform me, as soon as possible, of your intentions; and in the meantime I have the honour of assuring you of my respect.

THE REV. JEFFERY EKINS.

THE REV. JEFFERY EKINS, D. D., was educated at Eton, and afterward at King's College, Cambridge, of which college he eventually became fellow. He was afterward one of the assistant masters of Eton School, where he was tutor to Lord Carlisle, and where a friendship sprung up between them which only terminated with the life of the former. In 1771 he published "The Loves of Medea and Jason," a poem, in three books, translated from the

Greek of Apollonius Rhodius Argonauticus. He had recently been nominated to the livings of Sedgefield and Morpeth, in Durham, and some years afterward was appointed to the deanery of Carlisle. He died at Parson's Green, on the 20th of November, 1791.

The Rev. Jeffery Ekins to George Selwyn.

CASTLE HOWARD, August 17, 1777.

DEAR SIR: -I cannot leave Castle Howard without addressing a few lines to you from a place where I know you are so kindly interested in the concerns and happiness of its inhabitants, who are all perfectly well. This place, always delightful, is made particularly pleasant and cheerful at present by very fine weather, and a large concourse of company. Mrs. Ekins and I, upon our arrival the week before last, found Lady Louisa and Lady Ann here. The party was soon enlarged by the accession of the Bishop of Worcester, Mrs. North, Mrs. and Miss Banister. The company now in the house are Lord and Lady Derby, the Duke of Dorset, Lord Winchelsea, Lord Ossory, Mr. Hanger, and the youngest Faulkener. They will all be going in a day or two to York races, when Mrs. Ekins and I shall return home.

As you hear so frequently from Lord Carlisle, it is impossible for me to communicate anything new to you from hence, which might afford you enter

tainment, but I had much rather you should think me a dull correspondent, than wanting in any marks of attention and esteem. I assure you it was a great disappointment to me, that I had not the pleasure of finding you in town when I went up, on the acquisition of my new preferment. I more particularly wished to see you upon that occasion, as I have received so many proofs of the kind and friendly part you have always taken in my former views of preferment. This, which has exceeded my utmost expectations, has likewise bounded my wishes, and becomes infinitely the more valuable to me by being conferred with the most honourable marks of Lord Carlisle's uncommon friendship. The living of Sedgefield with Morpeth is such a provision as will not only make me happy, but enable me to consult the future happiness of my children, by giving them an education upon the most liberal plan, and saving something for them every year out of my income; for I esteem it one peculiar advantage attending my present preferment, that it will oblige me to make but little variation in my way of life, and add little to my present expenses. The situation of Sedgefield is very agreeable, and the country about it pleasant, but the house is a very old and bad one.

I ought to apologise to you for troubling you with so many particulars of my own concerns, but I will beg you to believe at the same time that I feel myself by no means uninterested in yours. I

am very sensible how uneasy you must be in your present situation, under the expectation of being so soon to part with the young lady who holds so high a place in your affections. I well know what feelings such as yours must naturally suffer upon this occasion. And though I cannot presume to offer any consolation but what your own reason and the necessity of circumstances must suggest, yet let me express my hopes that you will not suffer the concern from your loss to prey upon your spirits by any unnecessary indulgence of it; and if you find the continuance in town, after your young lady's departure, painful to you, you could not do better than go immediately to Castle Howard, where you would meet with every comfort and satisfaction that change of place, amusement, and the sincerest friendship could afford you. Mrs. Ekins and I propose leaving this place to-morrow, but hope to revisit it when Lord Carlisle returns from the meeting of Parliament, and after Christmas we meditate an excursion into the south, when I shall hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in town. I will beg you in the meantime to believe me to be, with great truth and respect, dear sir, your most sincere and obliged humble servant,

J. EKINS.

P. S. Lord Carlisle desires me to tell you he is not able to write now, but will by the first opportunity.

Lady Holland to George Selwyn.

OLD WINDSOR, August 31, 1777.

DEAR MR. SELWYN:-I am vastly concerned to find from your letter that your spirits are so low. I wish it were any way in my power to alleviate the distress I know you must feel on parting with what you are so tenderly attached to; and though I am not vain enough to imagine I could do that, yet the change of scene and air might possibly be of some service to your spirits, and as you seem undetermined what to do, I wish I could prevail upon you to come here. To a common acquaintance it might be a good excuse to say you were out of spirits, but to your friends it is an unkind one, and not treating them as such, to suppose that they are only glad of your company when you are in spirits to amuse them.

You are certainly the best judge, but I own it appears to me a bad scheme for you to go with Mie Mie to Paris, and likely only to prolong the pain of parting, and put yourself out of the way of receiving comfort from those who would wish to give you all in their power on this occasion. Pray let me hear again from you soon. I have had the happiness of hearing from Richard,' who mentions you particularly in his letter, and begs I will not

'General Fitzpatrick, Lady Holland's brother.