Supposed to have paffed

BETWEEN

M. DE ST. EVREMOND

AND

MR. WALL E R.

Now first Collected and Published.

CAREFULLY CORRECTED.

LONDON:

Printed in the Year, MDCCLXX.

G

RAMONT once told Rochester, that if he could by any means divest himfelf of one half of his wit, the other half would make him the most agreeable man in the world. This obfervation of the count's did not strike me much when I heard it, but I have often remarked the propriety of it fince. Laft night I fupped at lord Rochester's, A

with a felect party. On fuch occafions he is not ambitious of shining. He is rather pleafant than arch. He is, comparatively, referved; but you find fomething in that restraint which is more agreeable than the utmost exertion of talents in others. The reserve of Rochester gives you ́the idea of a copious river, that fills its chanel, and feems as if it could easily overflow its banks, but is unwilling to fpoil the beauty and verdure of the plains. The most perfect good-humour was fupported through the whole evening, nor was it in the leaft difturbed, when, unexpectedly, towards the end of it, the king came in *. Something has vexed him, faid Rochester; he never does me this honour but when is in an ill humour. The following dialogue, or fomething very like it, enfued.

The KING.

How the d-l have I got here? The knaves

drefs which, for their own fakes, your majesty ought never to be without.

The KING.

Pfhaw! I am vexed.

ROCHESTER.

I am glad of it. I hate ftill life. Your ma jesty is never so entertaining as when The KING.

Ridiculous!

I believe the English are the

most untractable people upon earth.

ROCHESTER.

I must humbly beg your majesty's pardon, if I prefume, in that respect

The KING.

You would find them fo, were you in my place, and obliged to govern.

ROCHESTER.

Were I in your majefty's place, I would not govern at all.

How then?

The KING.

ROCHESTERE.

I would fend for my lord of Rochester, and command him to govern.