-Afriferum velox jam circulus orbem
Torsit, & amissæ redierunt montibus umbræ,
Ex quo frater inops, ignota per oppida triftes
Exul agit casus

But Basu himself is mistaken in one particular, relating to the Commencement of the Action ;. faying in Book 2. Cap. 3. that Statius opens it with Europa's Rape, whereas the Poet at most only deliberates whether he shou'd or not:

Unde jubetis
Ire, Dece? Gentisne çanam primordia, dire,
Sidonios raptus ? &c.

but then expressly passes all this with a Longa retro series

and says,

--Limes mihi carminis efto

Oedipodæ confusa domusIndeed there are numberless particulars blame-worthy in our Author: which I have try'd to foften in the Version :

Dubiamq; jugo fragor impulit Oeten
In latus, & geminis vix fluctibus obftitit Isthmus,

is most extravagantly hyperbolical: Nor did I ever read a greater piece of Tautology than

-Vacua cum folus in Aula
Respiceres jus omne tuum, cunctosq; Minores,
Et nusquam par ftare caput.

In the Journey of Polynices is some Geographical
Error,

-In mediis audit duo litora campis

could hardly be ; for the Tfthmus of Corinth is full
five Miles over: And Caligantes abrupto fole Myce-
nas, is not consistent with what he tells us, in Lib.
4.. lin. 305: " that those of Mycænæ came not
«s to the War at this Time, because they were then
“ in Confusion by the Divisions of the Brothers,
« Atreus and Thyestes :" Now from the raising the
Greek Army against Thebes, back to the Time of
this Journey of Polynices, is (according to Statius's
own account three Years.

July 17. 1709.
THE Morning after I parted from you, I found

my
uneasy Stage-Coach; a doleful Change from that
agreeable Company I enjoy'd the Night before!
without the least hope of Entertainment but, from
my last recourse in such Cafes, a Book. I then be-
gan to enter into Acquaintance with the Moralifts,
and had just receiv'd from them some cold Confo-
lation for the Inconveniences of this Life, and the
Incertainty of human Affairs ; when I perceiv'd
my Vehicle to stop, and heard from the side of it
the dreadful News of a fick Woman preparing to
enter it. 'Tis not easy to guess at my Mortifica-
tion; but being so well fortify'd with Philosophy, I

stood

ftood resign’d with a Stoical Constancy to endure the worst of Evils, a sick Woman. I was indeed a little comforted to find, by her voice and Dress, that she was young, and a Gentlewoman; but no fooner was her hood remov'd, but I saw one of the finest Faces I ever beheld, and, to increase my sure prize, heard her falute me by my Name. I never had more reason to accuse Nature for making me fhort-fighted than now, when I could not recollect I had ever seen those fair Eyes which knew me so well, and was utterly at a Loss how to address my felf; till, with a great deal of Simplicity and Innocence, she let me know (even before I discover'd my Ignorance) that she was the Daughter of one in our Neighbourhood, lately marry'd, who having been consulting her Physicians in Town, was returning into the Country, to try what good Air and a new Husband cou'd do to recover her. My Father, you must know, has sometimes recommended the Study of Phyfic to me, but I never had

any

Ainbition to be a Doctor till this instant. I ventur'd to prescrite fome Fruit (which I happen'd to have in the Coach) which being forbidden her by her Doctors, he had the more Inclination to. In short, I tempted, and The eat; nor was I more like the Devil than the like Eve. Having the good Success of the 'foresaid Gentleman before iny Eyes, I put on the Gallantry of the old Serpent, and in spite of my evil Form accosted her with all the Gaiety I was master of; which had so good Effect, that in less than an Hour the grew pleafant, her Colour return'd, and she was pleas': to say my Prescription had wrought an immediate Cure: In a word, I had the pleasantest Journey imaginable.

Thus far (methinks) my Letter has something of the Air of a Romance, tho' it be true. But I hope you will look on what follows as the greatest of

Truths,

N 3

Truths. That I think myself extremely oblig'd by you in all Points, especially for your kind and how nourable Information and Advice in a matter of the utmost Concern to me, which I shall ever acknowledge as the highest Proof at once of your Friendfhip, Justice, and Sincerity. At the fame Time be affur'd, that Gentleman we spoke of, shall never by any alteration in me discover my knowledge of his Miftake: the hearty forgiving of which is the only kind of Return I can possibly make him for so many Favours. · And I may derive this pleafure at least from it, that whereas I muft otherwise have been a little uneafy to know my incapacity of returning to his Obligations ; I may now, by bearing his Frailty, exercise my Gratitude and Friendship more than himself either is, or perhaps ever will be, lensible of.

Ille meos; primus qui me fibi junxit, Amores
Abstulit; ille habeát fecum, fervetque Sepulchro !

But in one thing, I must confess you have yourself oblig'd me more than ar.y Man, which is, that you have fhew'd me many of my Faults, to which as you are the more an implacable Enemy, by so much the more you are a kind Friend to me,

I cou'd be proud, in revengé, to find a few Slips in your Verfes, which I read in London, and since in the Country with more Application and Pleafure : The Thoughts are very just, and you are sure not to let thein fuffer by the Versification. If you wou'd oblige me with the trust of any Thing of your's, I shou'd be glad to execute any Commissions you wou'd give me concerning them. I am here so perfectly at leisure, that nothing wou'd be fo agreeable an Entertainment to me; but if you will not afford me that, do not deny me at least the Satisfaction of your

Letters

Letters as long as we are absent, if you wou'd not have him very unhappy who is very fincerely

Your, &c.

Having a vacant Space here, I will fill it with a short Ode on Solitude, which I found yefterday by great Accident, and which I find by the Date was written when I was not twelve Years old; that you may perceive how long I have continu'd in my Passion for a raral Life, and in the same Employa ments of it.

-1

Happy the Man, whofa Wij and Care,

A few paternal Acres bound,
Content to breathe his native Air,

In his own Ground.
Whose Herds with Milky whole

. Fields with. Breaca
Whofe. Flocks fupply him with Attire,
Whofe Trees in Summer yield him Shade,

In Winter, Fire

Bleft, who can unconcern'dly find

Hours, Days, and Years, side soft away,
In Health of Body, Peace of Mind,

Quiet by Day.

Sound Sleep by Night ; Study and Ease,

Together. mixt; sweet Recreation,
And Innocence, which most does please,

With Meditation.