(iv) Letters, which had been bound together by Mr. Shenstone, in the first leaf he had written with his own hand, as follows:

“ Letters from the Right Ho" nourable Lady Luxborough ; « written with abundant Ease, Po“ liteness, and Vivacity ; in which « she was scarce equalled by any

of her time. They como menced in the year 1739, and

were continued to the year of “ her death (1756), with some few « intermiffions.

woman

« Will. SHENSTONE."

LADY

LADY LUXBOROUGH's

L E T T E R S.

L E T T E R

I.

WT

SIR,

Barrells, November 27th, 1739. ITHOUT the assistance of

your pen, it will be impossible for me to return Mr. Shenstone sufficient thanks for the honour he does me, and my humble habitation; and for the agreeable entertainment his verses afford me: to you, Sir, I owe the pleasure of havo ing enjoyed that gentleman's conversation a few moments; to you I owe the advantage of being represented to him in the most fattering light; and to you I desire to owe the favour of speaking my gratitude for his genteel compliment, and my admiration of all he

B

writes :

writes : his offended Mufe will I fear repent her ready aid, if he bestows such fine thoughts and flowing lines on such trilling and unworthy subjects, as in his copy of verses inscribed to a person who has no other pretence to merit, or to taste, but that of distinguishing his. As you, Sir, have the art to describe the most simple things with the nicest elegance (as appears by your Pastoral) I must once more intreat you to make known to your friend, the sincerity of my heart in the approbation it gives to his works ; to which it pays just praise, though my words could no more express it (without doing wrong to my sentiments) than they could utter the real esteem, and friendly regard, with which I an, Sir, Your obliged humble servant,

H. KNIGHT. To the Revd. Mr. Jago, jun,

at Henley.

SIR,

Barrells, April 27, 1741. R. John Reynalds has this moment

brought me your poem, for which I would not defer returning thanks ; as I think

myself

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myself greatly obliged to you for sending me
what has already given me much pleasure, and
will do so as often as I read it: that mark of
your remembrance, and the honour you do me
in counting my approbation as any thing, gives
a real fatisfaction to, Şir,
Your obliged humble servant,

H. KNIGHT.
To William Shenstone, Esq;

at Mr. Wintle's, Perfumer, near Temple-Bar, London.

SIR,

Barrells, May 29th, 1742. OTHING but an uncommon hurry of

since the mo

bufibers and company, ever

ment I received your poem, could have prevented my returning thanks for the favour you do me in thinking me worthy to judge of the beauties of it : it was with pleasure I read it, and I admired it on more accounts than merely the novelty of the subject.

The piping Faunus having his pipe in his hands when he came to me, I suppose RackItrow had followed your advice (which was right) before he finished the figure; which I

B 2

think a genteel one, but too small to set out of doors.

If you do me justice, you will believe that I am glad of every opportunity of assuring you, that I am, Sir, Your most obliged humble servant,

H. KNIGHT.

IA

DEAR SIR,

Barrells, July 28th, 1747. AM glad of an opportunity to let you know,

that if it should happen to be convenient to you, (as you was so kind to give Lady Luxborough an invitation to your Hermitage) that her Ladyship will do herself the pleasure to take a prospect of the Leafowes before the leaf falls ; and will take that opportunity on Tuesday next, August the 4th, to breakfast with you, and dine with you; and return at night with the two scribes, who all join in compliments.

Crosse OUTING, his mark T.
J. REYNALDS.

P. S. My secretaries being somewhat idle after dinner, have wrote in such an odd manner, that

I think