"the latter that THE had an aukward "and ridiculous gait." F. J. Z. I KNOW not, Orontes, how I fhall escape your fatire, for venturing to be thus free with a science which is fometimes, I think, admitted into a share of your meditations : yet, tell me honeftly, is not this a faithful fpecimen of the spirit and talents of the general clafs of critic-writers? Far am I, however, from thinking irreverently of those useful members of the republic of letters, who, with modefty and proper diffidence, have offered their affiftance in throwing a light upon obfcure paffages in antient authors. Even when this spirit breaks forth in its highest pride and petulance of reformation, if it confines itself to claffical inquiries, I can be contented with treating it only as an object of ridicule. But, I must confefs, when I find it, with an affured and confident air, fupporting religious or political doctrines upon the very uncertain foundation of various readings, forced analogies, and precarious conjectures, it is not without fome difficulty I can fupprefs my indignation. Farewel. LETTER LXIV. To PHILOTES. Tunbridge, Aug. 4. THINK I promised you a letter from this place: yet I have nothing more material to write than that I got safe hither. Το any other man I should make an apology for interrupting him with an information fo trivial; but among true friends there is nothing indifferent, and what would seem of no confequence to others, has in intercourses of this nature its weight and value. A by-ftander, unacquainted with play, may fancy, perhaps, that the counters are of no more worth than they appear; but those who are engaged in the game, know they are to be confidered at an higher rate. You fee I draw my allufions from the scene before me: a propriety which the critics, I think, upon fome occafions recommend. I HAVE often wondered what odd whim could first induce the healthy to follow the fick into places of this fort, and lay the fcene of their diverfions amidst the most wretchcd part of our fpecies: one fhould imagine an an hofpital the laft fpot in the world, to which those who are in pursuit of pleasure would think of reforting. However fo it is; and by this means the company here furnish out a tragi-comedy of the most fingular kind. While fome are literally dying, others are expiring in metaphor; and in one fcene you are prefented with the real, and in another with the fantastical pains of mankind. An ignorant fpectator might be apt to suspect, that each party was endeavoring to qualify itself for acting in the opposite character: for the infirm cannot labor more earnestly to recover the strength they have loft, than the robuft to diffipate that which they poffefs. Thus the difeafed pass not more anxious nights in their beds, than the healthy at the hazard-tables; and I frequently fee a game at quadrille occafion as fevere difquietudes as a fit of the gout. As for myself, I perform a fort of middle part in this motly drama, and am fometimes difposed to join with the invalids in envying the healthy, and fometimes have spirits enough to mix with the gay in pitying the fplenetic. THE THE truth is, I have found fome benefit by the waters; but I fhall not be fo fanguine as to pronounce with certainty of their effects, till I fee how they enable me to pass thro' the approaching winter. That season, you know, is the time of trial with me; and if I get over the next with more ease than the laft, I fhall think myself obliged to celebrate the nymphs of these springs in grateful fonnet. BUT let times and feafons operate as they may, there is one part of me over which they will have no power; and in all the changes of this variable conftitution, my heart will ever continue fixed and firmly yours. I am, &c. L LETTER To ORONTES. LXV. May 6, 1735. ET others confider you for those am ple poffeffions you enjoy: fuffer me to fay, that it is your application of them alone which renders either them or you valuable in my eftimation. Your splendid roofs and elegant accommodations I can envy : view without the leaft emotion of In the ordinary difpenfations of bounty, little address is required: but when it is to be applied to those of a superior rank and more elevated mind, there is as much charity discovered in the manner as in the meafure of one's benevolence. It is something extremely mortifying to a well-formed fpirit, to fee itself confidered as an object of compaf 3 1 |