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To the Earl of Burlington.

My LORD,

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7

March 7, 1731.

'HE Clamour rais'd about my Epiftle to you, could not give me fo much pain, as I receiv'd pleafure in feeing the general Zeal of the world in the cause of a great Man who is Beneficent, and the particular Warmth of your Lordship in that of a private Man who is innocent. Podar It was not the Poem that deferv'd this from you; for as I had the Honour to be your Friend, I cou'd not treat you quite like a Poet: but fure the Writer defetv'd more Candor, even from those who knew! him not, than to promote a Report, which in regard to that Noble Perfon was Impers tinent; in regard to me, Villainous. Yet I had no great caufe to wonder, that a Character belonging to twenty fhou'd be applied to one; fince, by that means, nineteen wou'd escape the Ridicule.

I was too well content with my Knowledge of that Noble Perfon's Opinion in this Affair, to trouble the publick about it. But

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ince Malice and Mistake are fo long a dyng, I have taken the opportunity of a third Edition to declare His Belief,not only of My nnocence, but of Their Malignity, of the Former of which my own heart is as concious, as I fear fome of theirs must be of he latter. His Humanity feels a Concern for the Injury done to Me, while his Greatnefs of Mind can bear with Indifference the Infult offer'd to Himself.

*

However,my Lord, I own, that Critics of this Sort can intimidate me, nay half incline me to write no more: That wou'd be making the Town a Compliment which I think it deferves; and which fome, I am fure, wou'd take very kindly. This way of Satire is dangerous, as long as Slander rais'd by Fools of the lowest Rank can find any countenance from those of a Higher. Even from the Conduct fhewn on this occafion, I have learnt there are fome who wou'd rather be wicked than ridiculous; and therefore it may be fafer to attack Vices than Follies. I will therefore leave my Betters in the quiet Poffeffion of their Idols, their Groves, and their High-Places; and change my Subject from

Alludes to the Letter the Duke of Ch wrote to Mr. Pope on this occafion, a Copy of which, together with Mr. Pope's to his Grace, we hope to procure for the next Volume. their

their Pride to their Meanness, from their Vanities to their Miferies: And as the only certain way to avoid Mifconftructions, to leffen Offence, and not to multiply ill-natur'd Applications, I may probably, in my next, make ufe of Real Names and not of Fictitious Ones. †

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Dear Sir,

Hampstead, July 17, 1734

Little doubt of your kind Concern for me, nor of that of the Lady you mention. I have nothing to repay my Friends with at prefent, but prayers and good 'wishes. I have the fatisfaction to find that I am as officioufly ferv'd by my Friends, as he that has thousands to leave in Legacies; befides the Affurance of their Sincerity.

This he did in his next Piece, which was the Epiftle to the Lord Bathurst of the ufe of Riches,

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God Almighty has made my bodily distress as eafy as a thing of that nature can be: I have found fome relief, at leaft fometimes, from the Air of this Place. My Nights are bad, but many poor Creatures have worse.

As for you, my good Friend, I think fince our first acquaintance there has not been any of thofe little Sufpicions or Jealoufies that often affect the fincereft Friend hips; I am fure not on my fide. I must be fo fincere as to own, that tho' I could not help valuing you for thofe Talents which the World prizes, yet they were not the Foundation of my Friendship: They were quite of another fort; nor fhall I at present offend you by enumerating them: And I make it my Laft Request, that you continue that noble Disdain and Abhorrence of Vice, which you feem naturally endu'd with, but ftill with a due regard to your own Safety; and study more to reform than chaftife, tho' the one often cannot be effected without the other.

Lord Bathurst I have always honour'd for every good Quality, that a Perfon of his Rank ought to have: Pray give my Respects and kindest Wishes to the Family. My Vcnifon Stomach is gone, but I have those about me, and often with me, who will be very glad of his Prefent. If it is left

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at my house it will be tranfmitted fafe to

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A Recovery in my Cafe, and at my Age, is impoffible; the kindest Wish of my Friends is Euthanafia. Living or dying, I fhall always be

Your most faithful Friend,

And humble Servant,

Jo. ARBUTHNOT.

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