OUR good friend Sir John !!—The book

you put into my hand at his request, I read; but my opinion of it would have been no comfort to any that expected any consolation that they found not obviously presented to them in the Gospel.

I have been much out of order, and a good deal in your way. My nerves were so tender, that a door clapt, or a dog running before me, on a sudden, gave me a shock which I did not understand before. I bless

VOL. II.

God,

God, I am much better, but not well.

A

I

great laziness and lowness hangs on me. have several years been much out of order about this time, nor knew ('till I read your's) that the equinox had any thing to do with it; but I believe it has. I am heartily sorry that you bear so strong testimony on that side of the question. Caroline has just now read you over in your new and splendid suit, with which you was so kind as to present her; and she is too much a woman not to like you still better for being so well dressed. May the lesser felicities of this life, joined to those of your good heart, ever give you cause to rejoice! There is self-interest in this wish ; for I shall partake in your satisfaction, and always continue,

Dear Sir,

your affectionate humble servant,

E. YOUNG.

то

TO MR. RICHARDSON.

DEAR SIR,

Wellwyn, July 9, 1744.

My house is full of friends, that con

gratulate my return to life: 'till now I knew not that report had buried me. But I cannot but steal from them, to let you know (this first post) how truly sensible I am of your late goodness.

Caroline and I by no means forget the respects we owe in Salisbury-court; yet must I particularly insist that, when you go to North End, you let Cleopatra and Octavia* know, that by their favour I was so happy, that in their company and so sweet a retirement, I thought, with Antony, the world well lost.

At present, I am pretty much engaged in the Last Night, and hope you are no less so in your undertaking. It will have many more readers than I can expect. And he that writes popularly and well, does most

The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia, written by

Miss Fielding.

B 2

good;

>

good; and he that does most good, is the best author.

Be not concerned about Lovelace: 'tis the likeness, not the morality, of a character we call for. A sign-post angel can by no means come into, competition with the devils of Michael Angelo.

Heaven prosper you and your's. There are so many catching at you, and you are so unwilling to be caught, that I fear Wellwyn stands a bad chance..

I am, &c

TO MR. RICHARDSON.

DEAR SIR,

E. YOUNG.

1744.

DOES Lovelace more than a proud, bold, graceless, heart, long indulged in vice, would naturally do? No. Is it contrary to the common method of Providence, to permit the best to suffer most? No. When the best do so suffer, does it not most deeply affect the human heart? Yes. And is it not your

business

business to affect the human heart as deeply as you can? Yes.

Your critics, on seeing the first two or three acts of Venice Preserved, the Orphan, and Theodofius, would have advised that the innocent and amiable Belvidera, Monimia, and Athenais, should be made happy; and thus would have utterly ruined our three best plays.

But you ask, how come they then to give this advice? From ignorance, or envy, or affectation of a delicate concern and high zeal for virtue; or from such a degree of infidelity as suffers not their thoughts to accompany Clarissa any farther than her grave. Did they look farther, the pain they complain of would be removed; they would find her to be an object of envy as well as pity; and the distressed would be more than balanced by the triumphant Clarissa: and thus would they be reconciled to a story, at which their short-sighted tenderness for virtue pretends to take offence.

Believe me, Christians of taste will ap