from Lord Keppell. Have you any objection, my dear Pritchard, to being of the party in this pleasant excursion? I mean in the capacity of my friend and secretary, with a very good allowance from me; and you might be sure of a handsome present from Paradise, who esteems you as much as I do: no one can esteem you more. You cannot increase or diminish my esteem by accepting or rejecting this offer in either place you will stand first in my will (after my female friend); and, you know, I have no heir unprovided for. I may die at sea: life is always uncertain; and, if you go, I will leave you, in case of my death during the voyage, a thousand pounds, which I shall take with me in bills. If you wish to do something handsome for your mother during your short absence, I will take care that she shall receive punctually from my agents what you choose to give her. Your friend at Midgham cannot object, as you will return in a few months. If there were any danger, I would not press you. I use no persuasion; I do not presume to think of persuading any one: I only propose; and, if you accept my proposal, you will give me pleasure; if you reject it, no pain. As to use, you will be of greater use to us both in reading and writing than I can describe. Some secretary I must have.

22nd May.

Here I left off, to dine with the Bishop of St. Asaph, who, do you think, were at table? None less than your future uncle and aunt, Sir G*****

and Lady M****,-between us, a stupid uncle and no very elegant aunt! but of this not a word. I have just read the newspaper, and am sorry to see old Mr. Poyntz, of Somersetshire, in the Gazette. By the way, could not you make your visit to Midgham now upon your little gray, so that we might have a chance of meeting there or at Oxford, where I shall soon spend a day or two? I conclude, that my friends at Midgham will come to town for a little amusement at Ranelagh, some time this month. In short, my dear Pritchard, the case is very simple-I have not abandoned India, but shall not be able to go this year; in the meanwhile I shall accompany my friend Paradise, in order to prevent his ruin, to Virginia, and shall return before next spring fleet sails for India: if you will be of the party, I will ensure you much pleasure, much health, much knowledge of the world; and a knowledge of men and things will be necessary to qualify you for any office that my interest may hereafter procure for you. I would add much profit, if I did not know your disinterestedness; but no man, however generous, ought to be so disinterested as to neglect any honourable mode of securing his independence by acquiring a fortune: you will be wholly on the footing of a gentleman. Paradise will have his servant, so that he will give you no trouble, except perhaps in writing for him and making his pens, for he says he can write with none so well as with yours. As we go on board a man-of-war, we shall have a charming voyage, and see a delightful country, as your

sister will tell you. Should any accident happen, or should you change your mind at Paris, you may return easily, and I will bear all your expenses back. We shall go from Dover to Calais, but this is a secret. If I die in America, you may return with Paradise, who would treat you as a friend and a gentleman. Let me add, that, if I should be named a commissioner for peace, you will be better qualified to act as my secretary by knowing French, so well as you will know it, by conversing with the French officers on board, and by having been in America. I trust you are in perfect health: the journey and voyage will confirm it; and, if you should again be ill, you may have as good advice and assistance on board a French ship of war as in London. Neither you nor I should fear to engage our enemies; but we should not fight our countrymen; and, in case of an engagement (which is not likely to happen), we should be employed in assisting the wounded, and following the directions of the surgeon. I have stated the good and the bad of this reasonable scheme; but wish we could converse about it for an hour or two. If you reject it, and choose rather to risque the haughty behaviour of some noble or wealthy master, I will leave my opinion of your excellent character (as far as I have been able to discover it) with my friend Mr. Poyntz, who knows how much I value you; and, on my return, I will retain my resolution of contributing all in my power to your advancement and fortune here or in India. Write to me soon with all that frank

ness, spirit, and manliness, which I love, and which we both possess in a high degree. You know my opinion, that all honest men are equal, and the prince and peasant on a level; therefore as I am not a prince, nor you a peasant, I could wish that you would put yourself wholly on a footing with me, and write without form and stiffness. I reckon you will receive this next Friday, and I shall be anxious to know that you have received it. The manuscript which you were to copy has been packed up this month, but my incessant hurry has prevented my sending it. Adieu! and believe that no man has a firmer friendship for another than that which is sincerely professed for you, my dear Arthur, by yours ever,

W. JONES.

Could not your little gray carry you un beau matin to Midgham, and, after such a stay at Mr. Poyntz's as you might think discreet, could he not either make a visit to my little gray at Oxford, or bring you to London, while Mrs. N. stays here, that you might accompany her to Ranelagh? We shall not set out this fortnight; but lose no time in considering my proposal; and be sure, that you will be of infinite use to Mr. Paradise and me. Observe, that as a will is always revocable, I would readily give you a bond (which would bind my heirs) to leave you a thousand pounds stock in case of my death during the voyage or journey; but I do not hold ort this as a lure, for I repeat that, though I

wish you to be of the party, yet I have no pretensions to persuade you, and I know your contempt of gain. Mr. Paradise and I shall want some one, who understands farming, to direct in leaving orders for the management of the land, if recovered.

WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. TO THE REV.
WILLIAM UNWIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

July, -79.

WHEN I was at Margate, it was an excursion of pleasure to go to see Ramsgate. The pier, I remember, was accounted a most excellent piece of stone work, and as such I found it. By this time, I suppose, it is finished, and surely it is no small advantage, that you have an opportunity of observing how nicely those great stones are put together, as often as you please, without either trouble or expense.

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There was not, at that time, much to be seen in the Isle of Thanet, besides the beauty of the country, and the fine prospects of the sea, which are no where surpassed except in the Isle of Wight, or upon some parts of the coast of Hampshire. One sight, however, I remember, engaged my curiosity, and I went to see it. A fine piece of ruins, built by the late Lord Holland, at a great expense, which, the day after I saw it, tumbled down for nothing. Perhaps, therefore, it is still a ruin; and if it is, I would advise you by all means to visit it, as it must have been much improved by this fortunate incident. It is