LETTER XXIII.

From the fame, to the fame.

CAN

AN there, Ned, upon earth be a happier mortal than your friend. I was not even tortured with expectation ; but the news of her being able and defirous to fee me, was communicated, and I conveyed to her apartment in one and the fame inftant. A gentle blush over-spread her countenance when I approached, and I was even permitted to congratulate her on her recovery, in a manner that affected my whole frame for never till that mo

ment had I touched her lips. She is greatly reduced, languid, drooping a foft forrow fteals upon my heart but when I recollect

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collect her late condition,- I revive, and am all rapture and love.

I was compelled to make but a fhort vifit; but she kindly condescended to tell me, when I was preparing to retire, that it should be my own fault, if I was not her daily vifitant:-you may be certain I shall have much to answer for upon that account. Kitty fpitefully remarked — that it was almost worth dying to be fo outrageously lamented. -I was within an ace of making her a tart reply; but judged it impolitic to offend her at that juncture. That I could but annihilate the hours that lye between me and a fecond vifitbut, as Scriblerus obferves, it is a very modest wish confidering of how little confequence one individual is in the whole creation.

I have burnt your last letter, and may the remembrance of it perifh with it: it

was

was a clumfy, ill-digefted production-and utterly unworthy of the writer:-you was not wont to be fo illiberal but I forgive you on condition that you never suffer any future occafion to draw you into a like tranfgreffion.

LETTER XXIV.

Mifs PITTBOROUGH to Mifs NANCY PITTBOROUGH.

HAVE the pleasure to find that my dear fifter has happily been exempt, by my aunt's prudence, from every anxiety fhe would infallibly have fuffered, had fhe been informed of the near approach I have made to the grave. Four days my danger was extreme but I am now perfectly restored to health, though terribly emaciated. The valuable colonel has been fo amiably interested in my fate, that I will not answer for the confequences. → My ftrength, both of body and mind, is greatly impaired-and if he should find an unlucky opportunity of renewing his importunity,

human being than yourfelf; I wish I could add falutary at the fame time; the eminence of pleasure you had attained - the blooming graces of your perfon - and the idle admiration by which you was furrounded, contributing to perfuade you that you was more than mortal.

But furely the fudden change ought to have furnished you with a new set of fentiments. How could you withstand such

palpable conviction of the infufficiency of youth, profperity, and adulation, to preferve you from the hand of fick nefs, or the jaws of death. Notwithstanding this fubject may not be fo entertaining as many others, do not treat it with difguft or difregard; for none can exceed it in importance. You would most certainly have committed fome grofs error, to the deftruction of your peace, if not your reputation, had you not been so happily prevented and you ought to efteem all

you

have fuffered, as the most fortunate of

events.