perly called Nell Burnet (but whose Nom de Guerre was Captain Hargraves) in an officer's habit, whom he had carried all about to see chapels and libraries, and make visits in the face of day. The master raised his Posse comitatus in order to search his chambers, fumbled about the bed-clothes, and declared they had certainly been there; which was very true, and the Captain was then locked up in a cupboard there, while his lover stood below in order to convey him out at window, when all was over. However they took care not to discover her, though the master affirmed,-had he but caught her, he would soon have known whether it was a man or a woman. Upon this Mr. Delaval was desired to cut out his name, and did so; next day Dr. Long repented, and wrote a paper to testify he never knew any harm of him; which he brought to Dr. Whaley, who would have directly admitted him here, if Stuart had not absolutely refused. He was offered about at several colleges, but in vain. Then Dr. L. called two meetings to get him readmitted there, but every one was inexorable; and so he has lost his pupil, who is gone, I suppose, to his aunt Price. Trollope continues in Dev'reuxCourt: all our hopes are now in the Commence

er. The first has but little invention, very poal choice of expression, and a good ear. The ond, a fine fancy, modelled upon the antique, a ear, great variety of words and images, with choice at all. They both deserve to last some rs, but will not. Adieu! dear Sir, I am very

cerely yours,

I was thirty years old yesterday. What is o'clock you?

Dec. 27, [1746.]

is doubtless an encouragement to continue wrig to you, when you tell me you answer me with easure. I have another reason which would make every copious, had I any thing to say: it is, that write to you with equal pleasure, though not with ual spirits, nor with like plenty of materials. Lease to subtract then, so much for spirit, and so uch for matter; and you will find me, I hope, either so slow, nor so short, as I might otherwise em. Besides, I had a mind to send you the reainder of Agrippina, that was lost in a wilderness papers. Certainly you do her too much honour; ne seemed to me to talk like an old boy, all in

the midst of it; conversation was their business: y cultivated the arts of persuasion, on purpose show men it was their interest, as well as their ty, not to be foolish, and false, and unjust; and at too in many instances with success; which is t very strange, for they showed by their life, that eir lessons were not impracticable; and that pleares were no temptations, but to such as wanted clear preception of the pains annexed to them. ut I have done preaching à la Grecque. Mr. Ratiffe* made a shift to behave very rationally without heir instructions, at a season which they took a reat deal of pains to fortify themselves and others gainst: one would not desire to lose one's head ith a better grace. I am particularly satisfied with he humanity of that last embrace to all the people bout him. Sure it must be somewhat embarrassing die before so much good company!

You need not fear but posterity will be ever glad o know the absurdity of their ancestors: the foolish will be glad to know they were as foolish as they, and the wise will be glad to find themselves wiser. You will please all the world then; and if you recount miracles you will be believed so much the sooner. We are pleased when we wonder, and we Delieve because we are pleased. Folly and wisdom,

=* Brother of the Earl of Derwentwater. He was executed at Tyburn, December 1746, for having been concerned In the rebellion in Scotland. See Walpole's Letters to H. Mann, vol. ii. p. 206.-Ed.