Letters, Written, Volume 3

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T. Davies, 1766
 

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Page 100 - I am at present in the case of a man that was almost in harbour and then blown back to sea — who has a reasonable hope of going to a good place, and an absolute certainty of leaving a very bad one. Not that I have any particular disgust at the world, for I have as great comfort in my own family and from the kindness of my friends as any man ; but the world in the main displeases me, and I have too true a presentiment of calamities that are to befall my country.
Page 211 - Lord, at a large house they have hired, and the rest with her daughter, who is Abbess of a Royal Convent in the neighbourhood. I never saw him in stronger health, or in better humour with his friends, or more indifferent and dispassionate to his enemies. He is seriously set upon writing some parts of the history of his times...
Page 217 - The first is better, as to head-aches ; worse as to weakness and nerves. The changes of weather affect me much, otherwise I want not spirits, except when indigestions prevail. The mornings are my life; in the evenings I am not dead indeed, but sleep, and am stupid enough. I love reading still, better than conversation : but my eyes fail...
Page 198 - I to live a hundred lives, as many of his works will live ; which are absolutely original, unequalled, unexampled. His humanity, his charity, his condescension, his candour, are equal to his wit ;* and require as good and true a taste to be equally valued.
Page 99 - You have no reason to put me among the rest of your forgetful friends, for I wrote two long letters to you, to which I never received one word of answer. The first was about your health ; the last I sent a great while ago, by one De la Mar. I can assure you with great truth that none of your friends or acquaintance has a more warm heart towards you than myself.
Page 212 - Queen's last years (which he read here with me in 1727) are not exactly stated, and that he may be obliged to vary from them, in relation, I believe, to the conduct of the Earl of Oxford, of which great care surely should be taken. And he told me, that when he saw you in 1727, he made you observe them, and that you promised you would take care. We very often commemorated you during the five months we lived together at Twickenham.
Page 148 - Sunday se'qnight, very full and gay. I think Bath a more comfortable place to live in than London ; all the entertainments of the place lie in a small compass, and you are at your liberty to partake . of them, or let them alone, just as it suits your humour.
Page 289 - ... you here, or that I could go to you! I was born with violent passions, which terminate all in one, that inexpressible passion I have for you.
Page 214 - The prince shows me a distinction beyond any merit or pretence on my part ; and I have received a present from him of some marble heads of poets for my library, and some urns for my garden.
Page 295 - The best maxim I know in this life is, to drink your coffee when you can ; and when you cannot, to be easy without it : while you continue to be splenetic, count upon it, I will always preach.

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