As one ought to be particularly careful to avoid lunders in a compliment of condolence, it would be a sensible satisfaction to me (before I testify my sorrow, and the sincere part I take in your misfortune) to know for certain, who it is I lament. I knew Zara and Selima, (Selima, was it? or Fatima ?) or rather I knew them both together; for I cannot justly say which was which. Then as to your handsome Cat, the name you distinguish her by, I am no less at a loss, as well knowing one's handsome cat is always the cat one likes best; or if one be alive and the other dead, it is usually the latter that is the handsomest. Besides, if the point were never so clear, I hope you do not think me so ill-bred or so imprudent as to forfeit all my interest in the survivor; Oh no! I would rather seem to mistake, and imagine to be sure it must be the tabby one that had met with this sad accident. Till this affair is a little better determined, you will excuse me if I do not begin to cry; "Tempus inane peto, requiem, spatiumque doloris." Which interval is the more convenient, as it gives time to rejoice with you on your new honours.* * Mr. Walpole was about this time elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Xenophon) it may be Y perhaps, but I nehow a secret partiality for W, am I near o? by this time I suppose, 'tis almost a ng. There is no struggling with Destiny, uiesce. Thus far only I should be glad to ith certainty, whether it be likely [ ] continue in statu quo, till the Commencehich I don't conceive) for [ ] I should rather better for T. to give up his pretenth a good grace, than to wait the pleasure dirty cubs, who would infallibly prefer the offers of their own people, but I submit our judgment, you (as you first made him titor) ought to determine at what time he t decently withdraw. I have some uneao on Brown's account, who has sacrificed terests with so much frankness, and is still e to do every thing for us without reserve, ould see him with great concern under the fell visitor, and exposed to the insolence d rascal, the master. Trollope (if you rewould engage himself no longer than the is year: 'tis true he has never said any ce, tending that way, but he is not unremember it at a proper time. And as , he must necessarily be abîmé, in a very rson mentioned here is Smart the Poet. It apderson's Life of him, that he was admitted of Hall, Oct. 30th, 1739, elected Fellow of Pem45, and M. A. 1747. The Comedy to which |