Con. Philipps's Apology. I will fet about getting fome of these modern books, to enable me to bear a share in the converfation of, and correspondence with, my friends; which I am fenfible I am incapable of at present and as I fhould leaft choose to write to you of any of them, whilst in my ftate of ftupidity and ignorance, I abridge my letter all I can, and haften to affure you that I am, with great esteem,

Sir,

Your most obliged humble fervant,

H. LUXBOROUGH.

I fhall hope to hear the beginning of next week, which day I may expect you, if you write on Saturday. I write to-day to Mr. Outing, by the Evesham gardeners, to fay I hope to fee him by the end of next week, if not before. I do not know whether they will find him out. -I think you promised me the Poem upon Sickness to read, and I hope for fomething upon œconomy; which will be very wholesome for me; and yet I am perfuaded a very agreeable medicine, as it will be made up by fuch good and skilful hands.

J

SIR,

LETTER XIII.

Always refpected your man Tom for his honefty and fidelity to his master; but at prefent I respect him for the good tidings he bringeth, which make my heart full glad. It is plain your thoughts and mine correfpond; for I have been all the last week confidering which day I should fix for going to the Leafowes, or whether I fhould not firft defire your company at Barrells.-Mr. Meredith came hither last Tuesday, and went for London on Thursday. We talked of your charming fituation; but more of your agreeable company both which he wishes to be acquainted with; and I offered to carry him to wait on you, as on Monday next, and said he might go on from thence to Cheshire; which he hearkened to with pleasure, but told me he was obliged to get there by Saturday, and that he intended coming here again next Friday, in his way thither; fo would not let me write you word, for fear of disappointing you. I fent however to Mr. Hall (as I don't love to jumble in a post-chaise alone) to ask him to go with me

on

on Monday or Tuesday next; but he was posting away to preach the affize fermon yefterday at Warwick, and from thence to go to Rugby the latter end of this week; where he expects to receive his final answer about the Living of Harborough; and in cafe he fucceeds, will be obliged to ride about the country still farther; but if not, will return to Henley next Saturday, and wait upon you with me, as he writes me word. In this uncertain ftate, confused by all thefe half engagements, your trusty 'fquire found me, and feemed come to my relief, by. bringing me word you was ready to make me happy in your company, and Mr. and Mifsi Dolman's and your brother's, at my cell. Now the best way I can think of to decide of this affair is, that I fhould go, at all events, to the Leafowes on Monday to dinner; and that ye all return with me, or immediately after me, to Barrells, as beft fuits you; by which means I fhall have more of your company, and I may attend Mr. Meredith to a place he is fo defirous to fee if he can put off his journey to that day; which I am apt to think he may easily do, as Birmingham is in his way home: fo he will only dine at the Leafowes, where I propofe, with your leave, to take a night's lodging; as you was fo kind to defire: By which means I' fhall

>

D 3

fhall have more of your company, and fhall fee your improvements more at leifure; and your woods will afford a different fcenery, when they are embrowned by the fhade of the evening, or when the moon glimmers through their leaves: whereas I have never yet seen them but in full fun-fhine, and when walking (had it been in any other place) had been a toil. If you do not write me a line to the contrary, by Thursday's poft, you will fee me next Monday, the 7th inftant, at your Ferme ornée: and I hope to bring you on the 8th, to my Ferme negligée; for that you will find it. Having had fo much company in my houfe, and the hay-harvest having employed my fervants, the gardens were neglected juft when they ought to have been put in order; and the dry time has prevented the new-laid turf from joining; and my pavillion, when almost finished, was pulled down again in part, to add to it a fhrine for Venus: fo that it is ftill uncovered; and the roses, &c. are all faded, and give an ugly afpect to my fhrubbery; which waits your directions to be new modelled: But in this imperfect condition, if it affords ever fo little pleasure to Mr. Dolman, it will have done part of what I wish it to do: and though I cannot treat him fo elegantly as I treated you with truffles and Caffadi-bread, he

will be heartily welcome to the beans and bacon my Farm produces, and to the cheese of my own dairy. I do not wonder your neighbours vifit you frequently; but I wish they do not envy you, and endeavour to spy fome fault, I am perfuaded I shall like your small Gothic building better than their huge one. I am proud of having mentioned the carpet pavement. I believe the Duchefs of Somerfet's is not famous enough to have given occafion to the words spoken by the ladies that vifited yours. I am also proud of having fhewn my approbation of your place, and of the manner of your improv ing it, even in its infancy; fince it is now univerfally admired by all who have any jult pre

tenfions to taste.

I fhould have begun my letter with condolence upon your late illness, and congratula tions upon your recovery; but as it would have done you no good, you will excuse my neglect, and be so just as to believe, that, though it is mentioned last in my letter, my good wishes for your health and happiness are ever uppermoft in my mind, however derangé the manner of expreffing them in my letters may be: for what they want in form, they have in fincerity; which D 4 I am