LETTER CLXIX.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

Lichfield, August 27, 1777.

OUR

UR correspondence is not fo vigorous as it ufed to be; but now you know the people at Lichfield, it is vain to defcribe them, and as no revolutions have happened, there is nothing to be faid about them. We have a new Dean, whofe name is Proby; he has the manners of a gentleman, and fome fpirit of difcipline, which brings the cathedral into better method. He has a lady that talks about Mrs. Montague and Mrs. Carter.

On next Saturday I go to Afhbourne, and thither muft my letters be fent, if you are pleafed ever to write to me.

When I came hither I could hardly walk, but I have got better breath, and more agility. I intend to perambulate Master's dominions every day at least once. But I have miferable, diftreff

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diftressful, tedious nights; do you think they will mend at Brighthelmstone?

When I come to Ashbourne I will fend my dear Queeney an account how I find things, for I hope the takes an intereft in Dr. Taylor's profperity.

This is race week; but Mrs. Afton, Mrs. Porter, and myself have no part in the course, or at the ball. We all fit at home, and perhaps pretend to wonder that others go, though I cannot charge any of us with much of that folly. Mrs. Gaftrel, who wraps her head in a towel, is very angry at the present mode of drefs and feathers.

But amidst all thefe little things, there is one great thing. The harveft is abundant, and the weather a la merveille. No feafon ever was finer. Barley, malt, beer, and money. There is the series of ideas. The deep logicians call it a forites. I hope my master will no longer endure the reproach of not keeping me a horfe.

The puppies played us a vile trick when they tore my letter, but I hope my lofs will be repaired to-morrow. You are in the way of bufinefs and intelligence, and have fome

thing to write. I am here in unactive obfcurity, and have little other pleasure than to perceive that the poor languishing lady is glad to fee me. I hope, dearest Lady, you will be glad to fee me too; and that it will be long before disease lays hold upon you.

I am, dear Madam,

Your, &c.

LETTER CLXX.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAREST LADY,

IT

Sept. 6, 1777.

is true that I have loitered, and what is worfe, loitered with very little pleasure. The time has run away, as most time runs, without account, without use, and without memorial. But to fay this of a few weeks, though not pleafing, might be borne, but what ought to be the regret of him who, in a few days, will have so nearly the same to say of fixty-eight years? But complaint is vain.

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If you have nothing to fay from the neighbourhood of the metropolis, what can occur to me in little cities and petty towns; places which we have both feen, and of which no description is wanted? I have left of part

the company with which you dined here, to come and write this letter; in which I have nothing to tell, but that my nights are very tedious. I cannot perfuade myself to forbear trying fomething.

As you have now little to do, I suppose you are pretty diligent at the Thraliana, and a very curious collection pofterity will find it. Do not remit the practice of writing down occurrences as they arife, of whatever kind, and be very punctual in annexing the dates. Chronology you know is the eye of history; and every man's life is of importance to himself. Do not omit painful cafualties, or unpleafing paffages, they make the variegation of existence; and there are many tranfactions, of which I will not promife with Eneas, et hac olim meminiffe juvabit. Yet that remembrance which is not pleasant There is however an inmay be useful. temperate attention to flight circumstances which is to be avoided, left a great part of life

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be fpent in writing the hiftory of the reft. Every day perhaps has fomething to be noted, but in a fettled and uniform course few days can have much.

Why do I write all this, which I had no thought of when I begun? The Thraliana drove it all into my head. It deserves however an hour's reflection, to consider how, with the leaft lofs of time, the lofs of what we wish to retain may be prevented.

Do not neglect to write to me, for when a poft comes empty, I am really disappointed. Bofwell, I believe, will meet me here.

I am, dearest Lady,

Your, &c.