I do not know how I am launched out so far into this complaint: it is, perhaps, a strain of constitutional whining; the effect of the wind-did it come from the winds? to the winds will I deliver it:

Tradam protervis in mare Creticum,

Portare ventis

I will be as happy as my fortune will permit, and make others so;

Pone me pigris ubi nulla campis

Arbor estiva recreatur aura

I will be so. The joke is, that the description which you gave of that country was, that you had few trees about you; so that I shall trick fortune if she should grant my petition implicitly. But, in earnest, I intend to come and stay a day or two with you next summer.

Mr. Whistler is at Mr. Gosling's, bookseller, at the Mitre and Crown, in Fleet-street, and inquired much after you in his last letter to me. He writes to me; but I believe his affection for one weighs less with him while the town is in the other scale; though he is very obliging. I do not know whether I do right, when I say I believe we three, that is, in solitary circumstances, have an equal idea of, and affection for, each other. I say, supposing each to be alone, or in the country, which is nearly the same; for scenes alter minds as much as the air influences bodies. For instance, when Mr. Whistler is in town, I suppose we love him better than he does us; and when we are in town, I suppose the same may be said in regard to him.

The true burlesque of Spenser (whose characteristic is simplicity) seems to consist in a simple

representation of such things as one laughs to see or to observe one's self, rather than in any monstrous contrast betwixt the thoughts and words. I cannot help thinking that my added stanzas have more of his manner than what you saw before, which you are not a judge of till you have read him.

LETTER LIV.

MR. SHENSTONE TO MR. GRAVES.

DEAR SIR,

1743.

I LONG heartily to talk over affairs with you têteà-tête; but am an utter enemy to the fatigue of transcribing what might pass well enough in conversation. I shall say nothing more concerning my departure from L-, than that it was necessary, and therefore excusable.-I have been since with a gentleman upon the borders of Wales, Bishop's Castle, from whence I made a digression one day beyond Offa's Dyke; saw mountains which converted all that I had seen into mole-hills; and houses which changed the Leasowes into Hampton-Court: where they talk of a glazed window as a piece of magnificence; and where their highest idea of his majesty is, that he can ride in such a coach as 'squire Jones or 'squire Pryce's. The woman of the inn, at one place, said, " Glass (in windows) was very genteel,, that it was; but she could not afford such finery."

You agree with the rest of the married world in a propensity to make proselytes. This inclination

in some people gives one a kind of dread of the matter. They are ill-natured, and can only wish one in their own state because they are unhappy ; like persons that have the plague, who, they say, are ever desirous to propagate the infection. I make a contrary conclusion when you commend marriage, as you seem to do, when you wish miss may reconcile me to more than the name of wife. I know not what you have heard of my amour; probably more than I can thoroughly confirm to you. And what if I should say to you, that marriage was not once the subject of our conversation?

Nec conjugis unquam

Prætendi tadas, aut hac in fœdera veni.

Do not you think every thing in nature strangely improved since you were married, from the teatable to the warming-pan?

I want to see Mrs. Jago's hand-writing, that I may judge of her temper; but she must write something in my praise. Pray see you to it, in your next letter.

I could parodize my lord Cartaret's letter from Dettingen, if I had it by me. "Mrs. Arnold (thanks be praised!) has this day gained a very considerable victory. The scold lasted two hours. Mrs. Se was posted in the hall, and Mrs. Arnold upon the stair-case; which superiority of ground was of no small service to her in the engagement. The fire lasted the whole space, without intermission; at the close of which the enemy was routed, and Mrs. Arnold kept the field."

Did you hear the song to the tune of "The Cuckow?"

"The Baron stood behind a tree,

In woful plight, for nought heard he
But cannon, cannon, &c.

O word of fear!

Unpleasing to a German ear."`

The notes that fall upon the word "cannon" express the sound with its echo admirably. I send you my pastoral elegy (or ballad, if you think that name more proper), on condition that you return it with ample remarks in your next letter: I say "return it,” because I have no other copy, and am too indolent to take one. Adieu!

LETTER LV.

MR. SHENSTONE TO MR. GRAVES,
With Thoughts on Advice.

DEAR MR. GRAVES,

Leasowes, Sept. 21, 1747.

I AM under some apprehension that you dread the sight of a letter from me, as it seems to lay claim to the compliment of an answer. I will therefore write you one that shall wave its privilege, at least till such time as your leisure encourages, or your present dissipation does not forbid, you to send one. I dare now no longer expatiate upon the affair you have in hand; it is enough for me if you will excuse the freedom I have taken. I have often known delay produce good effects in some cases which even sagacity itself could not surmount; and, if I thought I did not go too far, would presume to recommend it now. You know

I have very little of the temper of an alderman. I almost hate the idea of wealthiness as much as the word. It seems to me to carry a notion of fulness, stagnation, and insignificancy. It is this disposition of mine that can alone give any weight to the advice I send you, as it proves me not to give it through any partiality to fortune. As to what remains, you are, I hope, assured of the value I must ever have for you in any circumstances, and the regard I shall always show for any that belongs to you, I cannot like you less or more. I now drop into other matters. Bergen, I see, is taken at last-pray what are the sentiments of your political companions? I dined some time ago with Mr. Lyttelton and Mr. Pitt, who both agreed it was worth twenty thousand men to the French; which is a light in which I never used to consider it. Any little intimation that you please to confer upon me, enables me to seem wise in this country for a month; particularly if I take care to adjust my face accordingly. As I was returning last Sunday from church, whom should I meet in my way, but that sweet-souled bard Mr. James Thomson, in a chaise drawn by two horses length-ways? I welcomed him into the country, and asked him to accompany Mr. Lyttelton to the Leasowes (who had offered me a visit), which he promised to do. So I am in daily expectations of them and all the world this week. I fancy they will lavish all their praises upon nature, reserving none for poor art and me. But if I ever live, and am able to per fect my schemes, I shall not despair of pleasing the few I first began with, the few friends prejudiced in my favour; and then Fico por los malignatores,