I have been long out of the world, but have not forgotten what used to pafs among those I lived with, while I was in it: And I can fay, that, during the experience of many years, and many changes in affairs, your Excellency, and one more, who is not worthy to be compared to you, are the only great perfons that ever refused to answer a letter from me, without regard to bufinefs, party, or greatnefs; and, if I had not a peculiar esteem for your perfonal qualities, I fhould think myself to be acting a very inferior part in making this complaint.

I never was fo humble, as to be vain upon my acquaintance with men in power, and always rather chofe to avoid it when I was not called. Neither were their power or titles fufficient, without merit, to make me cultivate them; of which I have witneffes enough left, after all the havock made among them by accidents of time, or by changes of perfons, measures, and opinions.

I know not how your own conceptions of yourself may alter, by every new high ftation, but mine muft continue the fame, or alter for the worfe.

I often

I often told a great Minifter, whom you well know, that I valued him for being the fame man through all the progrefs of power and place. I expected the like in your Lordship; and ftill hope that I shall be the only perfon who will ever find it otherwise.

I pray God to direct your Excellency in all your good undertakings, and especially in your government of this kingdom.

I fhall trouble you no more; but remain, with great refpect,

MY LORD,

I

LETTER XXXV.

MY LORD,

To the fame.

July 9th, 1724.

HUMBLY claim the privilege of an inferior, to be the laft writer; yet with great acknowledgments for your condescension in answering my letters. I cannot but complain of you for putting me VOL. XVI.

H

in

in the wrong. I am in the circumstances of a waiting-woman, who told her lady, that nothing vexed her more than to be caught in a lie. But, what is worse, I have discovered in myself somewhat of the bully; and that, after all my rattling, you have brought me down to be as humble as the most distant attender at your levee. It is well your Excellency's talents are in few hands; for, if it were otherwife, we, who pretend to be free speakers, in quality of philofophers, should be utterly cured of our forwardness; at least, I am afraid there will be an end of mine, with regard to your Excellency. Yet, my Lord, I am ten years older than I was when I had the honour to see you laft, and confequently ten times more tefty. Therefore I foretel, that you, who could fo eafily conquer fo captious a perfon, and of fo little confequence, will quickly fubdue this whole kingdom to love and reverence you. I am, with the greatest respect,

MY LORD, &c.

LE T

LETTER XXXVI.

To EDWARD Earl of OXFORD.

On his Father's Death.

MY LORD,

July, 1724.

A

LTHOUGH I had, for two years past, inured myself to expect the death of my Lord your Father, from the frequent accounts of the bad condition of his health; yet the news of it ftruck me fo fenfibly, that I had not spirit enough to condole with your Lordship, as I ought to have done, for fo great a lofs to the world and yourfelf. It is true, indeed, you no longer wanted his care and tendernefs, nor his example, to incite you to virtue; but his friendship and converfation you will ever want, because they are qualities fo rare in the world, and in which he so much excelled all others. It hath pleased me, in the midst of my grief, to hear that he preferved the greatnefs, and calmness, and intrepidity of his mind to his laft minutes; For it was fit that fuch a life fhould termi

nate with equal luftre to the whole progrefs of it.

I must now beg leave to apply to your Lordship's justice. He was often pleafed to promife me his picture; but his troubles, and ficknefs, and want of opportunity, and my abfence, prevented him. I do therefore humbly infift, that your Lordship will please to discharge what I almost look upon as a legacy.

I would intreat another and much greater favour of your Lordship, that, at your leisure hours, you would please to inspect among your father's papers, whether there be any memorials that may be of use towards writing his life; which I have fometimes mentioned to him, and often thought on, when I little thought to furvive him. I have formerly gathered feveral hints, but want many memorials, efpecially of his more early times, which might be easily fupplied. And fuch a work moft properly belongs to me, who loved and refpected him above all men, and had the honour to know him better than any other of my level did.

I humbly beg your Lordship's pardon for fo long a letter upon fo mournful an occafon; and expect your juflice to believe,

that