on the side of the distressed, and my patrons of the other party may expect great panegyrics from me when they come to be impeached by the future party-rage of their opponents. To compliment those who are dead in law, is as much above the imputation of flattery, as Tickell says it is, to compliment those who are really dead, and perhaps too there is as much vanity in my praising Bolingbroke, as in his praising Halifax. No people in this world are so apt to give themselves airs as authors.

I have received the report, but have not yet had time to read any of it. I have gone through the 5th, 6th, and 7th books, except a small part of the latter end of the 6th. Pray tell me if you hear any thing said about Mr. Tickell's, or my translation, if the town be not too much taken up with great affairs, to take any notice of either.

I hold the resolution I told you in my last, of seeing you if you cannot take a trip hither before

I

go; but I would fain flatter myself so far as to fancy we might travel together. Pray give me a line by Saturday's post. I am at all times, and in all reigns, whatever be the fate of the world, or of myself, sincerely and affectionately, dear Mr. JerYours, &c.

vas,

All here most truly your servants.

LETTER VII.

FROM MR. JERVAS.

DEAR MR POPE,

I

August 12, 1715.

WOULD not have failed by Tuesday's post, but that the Doctor* could not be near positive as to the time; but yesterday we met on horseback, and took two or three turns near the camp, partly to see my new horse's going, and partly to name something like the day of setting forth, and the manner thereof, viz. that on Thursday next (God willing) Doctor A-, D. Disney, and C. Jervas, rendezvous at Hyde Park corner about noon, and proceed to Mr. Hill's, at Egham, to lodge there on Friday, to meet with Mr. Pope upon the road, to proceed together to Lord Stowell's, and there also to lodge. The next day, Saturday, to Sir William Wyndham's, and to rest there the Lord's Day. On Monday, forward again towards Bath or Wilton, or as we shall then agree. The Doctor proposes that himself or his man ride my spare horse, and that I leave all equipage to be sent to Bath by the carrier with your portmanteau. The Doctor says he will allow none of his friends so much as a night-gown or slippers for the road, so a shirt and cravat in your pocket is all you must think of in his new scheme. His servant may be bribed to make room for that. You shall have a shorter and

less bridle sent down on Saturday, and the other shall be returned in due time. The tailor shall be chastised if it is really negligence in his art, but if it is only vapours, you must beg pardon. The linen and stockings out of your portmanteau may go with the bridle. I forgot to tell you that the third day is to be Oxford University, and the Monday following to Sir W. Wyndham's.

The French king has been indisposed, and methinks he is in an ill way, &c.-Service to every body. Your, &c.

DEAR MR. P.

LETTER VIII.

FROM MR. JERVAS.

Tuesday, 2.

THOUGH I have not a syllable to say of more certainty than the last post, yet I write.-I hold myself in readiness, in spite of a demand for pictures.

The Counsellor Bick has purchased a nag for his equipage, and waits our motions. He was here yesterday, and to-morrow, Wednesday evening, we are to taste Devonshire cyder with Mr. Applestone at his lodgings.

The Court opiniate it that the P-* is coming. They have no account of Ormond's arrival in France, though they have certain intelligence

* Pretender.

that he went off at Shoreham, in Sussex, ten days ago. I design to know Arbuthnot's determination to-morrow.-Service to every body. I am, &c.

LETTER IX.

FROM MR. JERVAS.

Wednesday, 11 o'clock at Noon.

LADY Mary Wy ordered me by an express this Wednesday morning, sedente Gayo et ridente Fortescuvio, to send you a letter, or some other proper notice, to come to her on Thursday, about five o'clock, which I suppose she meant in the evening. Gay designed to have been with you to-day, and I would have had him delivered this welcome message, but he durst not venture to answer for your coming upon his asseverations, you having interchangeably so accustomed yourselves to lying, that you cannot believe one another, though upon never so serious an occasion. He will be ready to go back with you. Fortescue's service and mine to all.

1

We are yours, &c.*

* It appears from this letter, that Pope wished to be thought a particular favourite with Lady Wortley. That he presumed too far, and was repulsed, I think there is reason to believe; and that this was the cause of his lasting hate. Bowles.

This groundless insinuation has been strongly and properly animadverted upon by Mr. Gilchrist, in his Letters to Mr. Bowles; and is also noticed in the Life of Pope, prefixed to this edition, chap. iv.

LETTER X.

FROM MR. JERVAS.

DEAR MR. POPE,

(1715.) I INTENDED to have breakfasted with James Eckershal at Drayton, but heard by the way of his being in London, so I jogged to Hammersmith in five hours and a half without drawing bit. Yesterday I gave a printed proposal to Lord Halifax, and spoke to the Duke of Devonshire to join my Lord Wharton's interest, and move your affair, that we may set them a going about the counties.

I have not yet seen the dear Archdeacon,* who is at his old lodgings in St. James's place, nor the Dean; but have just read a thing intitled a Prefatory Epistle, concerning some remarks to be published on Homer's Iliad, occasioned by the proposals of Mr. Pope towards a new English Version of that poem-To the Rev. Dr. Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's-by Richard Fiddes, B.D. Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Earl of Oxford.Aμapтnu suyevés-Long.-To Mr. Pope from the author, in manuscript.-All the foregoing elegances at proper distances, and Italianized according to form. It came too late for the coach, and is too big for my privileges of frank-8vo. 120 pages— marbled paper.

I find so many party strokes in it, that I am

*Dr. Parnelle.