LETTER XXXII.

To WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esqr.

Weston, July 15, 1792.

The progress of the old Nurse in

Terence is very much like the progress of my poor patient in the road of recovery. I cannot indeed say that she moves, but advances not, for advances are certainly made, but the progress of a week is hardly perceptible. I know not therefore, at present, what to say about this long-postponed journey. The utmost that it is safe for me to say at this moment is this-You know that you are dear to us both; true it is that you are so, and equally true that the very instant we feel ourselves at liberty, we will fly to Eartham. I have been but once within the Hall door since the Courteneys came home, much as I have been pressed to dine there, and have hardly escaped giving a little offence by declining it: But though I should offend all the world by my obstinacy in this instance, I would not leave my poor Mary alone. Johnny serves me as a representative, and him I send without scruple. As to the affair of Milton, I know not what will become of it. I wrote to Johnson a week since to tell him that the interruption of Mrs. Unwin's illness still continuing, and being likely to continue, I know not when I should be able to proceed. The Translations (I said) were finished, except the revisal of a part.

God

God bless your dear little Boy and Poet! I thank him for exercising his dawning genius upon me, and shall be still happier to thank him in person.

Abbot is painting me so true,

That (trust me) you would stare
And hardly know, at the first view,
If I were here, or there.

I have sat twice; and the few, who have seen his Copy of me, are much struck with the resemblance. He is a sober, quiet man, which considering that I must have him at least a week longer for an inmate, is a great comfort to me.

My Mary sends you her best love. She can walk now, leaning on my arm only, and her speech is certainly much improved. long to see you. Why cannot you and dear Tom spend the remainder of the Summer with us? We might then all set off for Eartham merrily together. But I retract this, conscious that I am unreasonable. It is a wretched world, and what we would, is almost always what we cannot. Adieu! Love me, and be sure of

a return.

W. C

LETTER

LETTER XXXIII.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esqr.

Weston, July 22, 1792.

This important affair, my dear Brother,

is at last decided, and we are coming. Wednesday se'nnight, if nothing occur to make a later day necessary, is the day fixt for our journey. Our rate of travelling must depend on Mary's ability to bear it. Our mode of travelling will occupy three days unavoidably, for we shall come in a coach. Abbot finishes my picture tomorrow, on Wednesday he returns to Town, and is commissioned to order one down for us, with four steeds to draw it :

"Hollow pamper'd Jades of Asia,

"That cannot go but forty Miles a day."

Send us our route, for I am as ignorant of it almost as if I were in a strange country. We shall reach St. Albans, I suppose, the first day; say where we must finish our second day's journey, and at what Inn we may best repose? As to the end of the third day, we know where that will find us; viz. in the arms and under the roof of our beloved Hayley.

General Cowper having heard a rumour of this intended migration, desires to meet me on the road, that we may once more see each other. He lives at Ham near Kingston. Shall we go through Kingston or near it? For I would give him as little trouble as possible, though he offers very kindly to come as far as Bar

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net for that purpose. purpose. Nor must I forget Carwardine, who so kindly desired to be informed what way we should go. On what point of the road will it be easiest for him to find us? On all these points you must be my Oracle. My Friend and Brother, we shall overwhelm you with our numbers: this is all the trouble that I have left. My Johnny of Norfolk, happy in the thought of accompanying us, would be broken-hearted to be left behind.

In the midst of all these solicitudes I laugh to think what they are made of, and what an important thing it is for me to travel. Other men steal away from their homes silently, and make no disturbance; but when I move, houses are turned upside down, maids are turned out of their beds, all the counties through which I pass, appear to be in an uproar.-Surry greets me by the mouth of the General, and Essex by that of Carwardine. How strange does all this seem to a man who has seen no bustle, and made none, for twenty years together.

LETTER XXXIV.

TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esqr.

W. C.

Weston, July 29, 1792.

Through floods and flames to your retreat

I win my desp'rate way,

And when we meet, if e'er we meet,

Will echo your huzza.

You

You will wonder at the word desp'rate in the second line, and at the if in the third; but could you have any conception of the fears I have had to bustle with, of the dejection of spirits that I have suffered concerning this journey, you would wonder much more that I still courageously persevere in my resolution to undertake it, Fortunately for my intentions, it happens, that as the day approaches my terrors abate; for had they continued to be what they were a week since, I must, after all, have disappointed you; and was actually once on the verge of doing it. I have told you something of my nocturnal experiences, and assure you now, that they were hardly ever more terrific than on this occasion. Prayer has, however, opened my passage at last, and obtained for me a degree of confidence that I trust will prove a comfortable Viaticum to me all the way. On Wednesday, therefore, we set forth.

The terrors that I have spoken of would appear ridiculous to most, but to you they will not, for you are a reasonable creature, and know well, that to whatever cause it be owing (whether to constitution or to God's express appointment) I am hunted by spiritual hounds in the night-season. I cannot help it. You will pity me, and wish it were otherwise; and though you may think that there is much of the imaginary in it, will not deem it for that reason, an evil less to be lamented-So much for fears and distresses. Soon I hope they shall all have a joyful termination, and I, my Mary, my Johnny, and my Dog, be skipping with delight at Eartham.Well!

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